By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has criticized the Federal Government for what he described as its lackadaisical attitude in the reconstruction of the 60 kilometer Kirfi – Gombe Abba road linking up the two neighbouring Bauchi and Gombe states in the North-East sub-region.
The governor recalled that the federal government under the operational mandate of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) had sometime early last year, promised to undertake reconstruction work on the Kirfi – Gombe Abba road adjoining the two states.
He said however, consistent follow-ups by the Bauchi State Government since the promise for the commission to commence executing the road project has for sometime, been lingering and visibility of any contractor to move to the site project remains unworkable.
Mohammed said, “If by next year ending after my reelection for a second term in office which I have every confidence of winning the election and when it happens that the commission did not keep to its words, the state government would definitely undertake the road reconstruction work”.
He was speaking while flagging-off the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) in Kirfi and Alkaleri local government areas of the state at the weekend, saying Bauchi was optimistic that the commission would complete the road project before the commencement of the current rainy season, when up till date it has not even taken-off.
Senator Bala Mohammed recalled that the last time he approached the NEDC officials on way forward of the project, he was told that contract on the work has been awarded, saying now that the raining reason is running out it is hoped that the commission would come-in handy onto the project.
While thinking as to the whether or not the commission is playing partisanship in tone with its master, the FG on the project execution, the governor however reminded that the whistle for commencement of electioneering campaigns in the country is yet to be blown by the electoral empire.
KEEP has far showered skill acquisition materials, other poverty alleviation materials and solid cash worth N75 million to beneficiaries in each of the two local government areas, thereby bringing to 18 out of the 20 LGAs in the state covered with the state government’s economic empowerment totaling N1.5billion.
He explained that his administration has demonstrated good leadership qualities by providing the necessary economic empowerment to deserving youths and women beneficiaries aimed at uplifting their economic status, as well as the provision infrastructural development across all nooks and crannies of the 20 LGAs in the state within the past three years
Highlights of the economic empowerment flag-off included receiving 155 defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kirfi and Alkaleri LGAs to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state by Governor Bala Mohammed.
The Governor assured the cross-carpets of an all-inclusive government, while directing the state PDP chairman, Hamza Koshe Akuyam to include them in all activities of the party at their respective wards and local government Areas.
He congratulated the decampees for their wise thinking and making the right decision at the right time, considering the fact that campaign’s for 2023 elections is fast approaching, assured them of an all-inclusive government in the state.
On their part, the leader of the APC decampees told the governor that they’ve decided to join the PDP ruling party in the state for what described as qualitative leadership style and outstanding performances since assumption to office in 2019.
In their separate remarks, the chairmen of Kirfi and Alkaleri local government councils, Alhaji Garba Musa and Alhaji Yusuf Garba assured the governor of more APC defectors to the PDP preparatory to the forthcoming general elections in the country.
