By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed has described as good governance the synergy being exhibited between the PDP-led Bauchi state government and the House of Representatives APC member, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, representing Ganjuwa and Darazo federal constituency in the state.
Bala said that he was appreciative that Hon. Mansur Soro, despite the party differences between them, used to consult him on issues that are beneficial to the people of the state, especially constituents of Ganjuwa/ Darazo federal constituency.
The Governor was speaking at the handing over ceremony of six primary health centres, six ambulances, N7 million take-off grant to a school and primary healthcare facilities, and transport vehicles to three district heads provided by the lawmaker as constituency projects to his federal constituents.
Senator Bala Mohammed noted that Hon. Mansur Soro as representative at the national level, party differences or politicking should not separate him and the lawmaker having been on different political camps, PDP and APC, but been voted by the same people or electorates.
“Our bosses are the people of Bauchi and indeed Nigeria, that’s why in my calling as a federalist, I have never at any point in time say anything injurious to the person of Mr. President. We must respect ourselves and our leadership”
The Governor who noted that Lawmaker Mansur Soro has done a lot of things within a short period of his representation, saying “If our representatives are like him, I think the state government has little to do to the people, “These kind of interventions will reduce burden on the part of the state government”.
“The take-off grants for the schools, health facilities, construction and equipping of 6 primary health care centres, provision of ambulances for referral purposes will no doubt assist in improving the living standard of the benefiting communities. Empowerment of women and youths, collaboration, synergy, what do you need more, whether he come over to our party or not, he should be re-elected on any party platform he chooses”.
“We are looking for people like Hon. Mansur to take over from us, those that could create a movement of development, progress and well-being of our people, improving the quality of lives of our people”.
He also commended Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila for his donation of N5million to Hon. Manu Soro, describing him as a good leader worthy of emulation, saying “Please let set aside party differences and work for the betterment of the people of Bauchi state”.
“We took over with a very deplorable condition of service, salaries were hardly paid, pensions were hardly paid, our primary schools roofs were blown-off, our Maternities and Primary Healthcare Centres were bad, even our traditional rulers were left in squalor and poverty, and with a lot of insecurity here and there”.
“Hon. Mansur Soro as for land, and we gave him, he is in APC. And when I came in, I bought vehicles to all our 12 representatives at the NASS, despite that as a party of PDP, we have only one in the House of Representatives to facilitate their oversight functions in their constituencies”.
“So representation can only be made positive if you the constituents, and if you are in torch with the people, with the community, with Local and State government. Soro is even buying vehicles for the district heads, which I’m just going to buy. If I know that he would buy, I wouldn’t have book for the district heads, but I’m buying for all the district heads, that means the district heads in Darazo and Ganjuwa will each have two vehicles.
Bala challenged other members of the House of Representatives from the state to emulate what Hon. Mansur is doing, saying “There are better people than us, but they were not opportune. There are also some good people in the APC, but there many bad ones there in the party”.
“The commissioner of Education has raised an issue that is worrying me, the issue of enrolment into schools. We have renovated schools, built new ones, but we don’t have enrolment. I therefore urge the emirs, district heads, village heads, and ward heads to put heads with the government to ensure improved enrolment into schools”.
He observed that the donation of vehicles to district heads as well as the recruitment of 500 women to serve as house to house community mobilizers for health related problems will immensely help in improving maternal and child health, promote education and also support traditional leaders in the discharge of their duties.
The federal lawmaker, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro who earlier commended Governor Bala Mohammed for executing developmental projects across the state, said the constituency projects was aimed at complementing his effort for the growth and development of the state.
He explained that, out of the 7 million naira grant, 5 million was donated to him by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila to support his initiatives of improving the living conditions of the people of Darazo/Ganjuwa federal constituency.
“Your Excellency, I am honored to have you in this important occasion, and the interventions which cut across health, education and other sectors were meant to support some segments of the society, particularly the less privileged.”
Other interventions, Soro said, included the distribution of 441 cell phones to women volunteers who would soon be trained in healthcare delivery in his constituency, six ambulances, newly constructed gifted schools and a special school for internally displaced persons (IDPs), orphans and vulnerable.
