GOVERNOR GOJE & BALANGA
By Ibrahim Garba Wala
In his zealous pursuit of the Seven Point Agenda, Mr. President will for sure nominate fight against corruption to be brought forward even beyond 2020, so, we pray that no police man will be seen collecting N20.00 on the road before then. No doubt, the launch of National Anti-Corruption Revolution (ANCOR) is an indicator which also ushered in the new spirit ‘see something, say something’.
Most of the State Governors have done much to be said in the light of corruption. It is now established that ‘account-ability’ has been a problem to the leadership in Nigeria, the present and past governors are found wanted on misappropriation. What about the Local Government? The joint-account syndrome, is it curable? In the spirit of see something say something, funny enough to know that the condition of our local governments is in such a mess that nothing to be seen but so much to be said.
His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammadu Danjuma Goje has proved his keen attitude for the development of the state by transforming the state capital and some of the Local Government Areas of his loving State. All his initiatives were channeled towards serving the people, in various occasions he denounced retrogression so vowed not to carry along any person who work against the development of Gombe State. In terms of transformational development Governor Goje did well in the history of Gombe State. His ability to perform was credited to his strong attitude of separating politics and development. For the politicians, it was not ‘politics as usual’; knowing well if he had allowed the politicians to chart the framework of development, interest may perhaps override performance and the blame will be on him. What happened to Hashidu?
Today, the upshot of his performance made him a powerful politician like an octopus. His brawny tentacles are in touch with the people all over the local governments. It is at this point that the people from some of the Local Government Areas are beginning to realize that their failure is not from the state government but few individuals from their own LGA. Any attempt to reveal the reason for the underdevelopment of some areas it turnout to be a war of words against families, brothers and relatives all in the name of politics. Any topic on discussion must have its political interpretation and the so-called politicians perceive it wrongly before you know, they let loose their dogs to come after you.
Gombe State capital is one of the few state capitals in Nigeria that witnessed transformation massively but, sarcastically the state has the only poorest Local Government Area in terms of infrastructure. These revelations came at the festive period when families and friends visited their localities in various part of the state. The people of Balanga Local Government just like other people; we have our loved ones in and outside the state, so it’s obvious that journey home is inevitable. Glad to realize that the locales understood that few individuals are trading the future in the name of representations.
Enough was said about the road to Talasse, the Balanga Local Government headquarters but nothing is done. The ‘elected’ authorities are fully aware of the situation and our leaders lack the clout for the solution. The expectation of the people is becoming hopeless on the ground that the politicians are taking advantage of the situation. It is painful to know that Balanga LGA has the highest number of people in key positions compare to any other LGA in the state. In other parts, such translates opportunity that could bring development, but why not in Balanga?
Apart from the air we breathe, rainfall, sunshine, mountains, rivers and dry land no any man made infrastructure that the public utilizes for their daily needs. Electricity … electricity?!!! Talk about water, is conditional, hospitals are mere structures, roads are nothing but dreams.
A common saying, ‘lightening never strike the same place twice’ but Balanga having barely recover from the first, lightening stroke again. To tell the truth, it is so pathetic that the position of Balanga Local Government demands immediate attention. Our agitation is for an immediate and everlasting solution, which was anticipated on the need for electing the right person who can influence the needed change. The influential leaders who for their selfish interest continued to trade our opportunities have again made life unbearable to us.
Our attitudes towards development must change for good. Those in positions seemed not to be excited by bringing in any development not even to talk about our nonchalant attitude on projects going on. We all know that infrastructure like drainage system serves the pillar of road constructions; therefore the quality of bricks must be observed not what was used in constructing the drainages in Talasse town. It does not require expertise to reveal the wasted effort made; already, the sand and the cement that made up the bricks are peeling-apart. The gutters will not accommodate the weight of the sand that will be used to refill the road consequently the gutters by the sides will surely collapse. For the houses that are directly in front of the road, the water lodge is now made better, no doubt the drainage will be block and likely the houses will be submerge. May be the Governor should be blamed for it!
If not for Goje’s attitude, Gombe State Capital would have been in shambles simply because most of them are not sincere on serving the people instead they point accusing fingers on individuals. They are the same characters that publicize the mistake of Goje of which they all know that he have never claimed perfection as a human. Governor Goje’s position remains a king who believes that under his throne there exist people of multiple characters which God ordained him the ruler. Obviously, he must listen and know what they want and what they want is his priority. Unfortunately, the politicians from Balanga needed nothing to the people but their personal desires.
Another big question is what the future holds for Balanga? Only God knows tomorrow. Today’s representation of the people is categorically a matter of trust, our brothers and sisters who are entrusted to represent us and those who occupied high positions must wake up to influence attitudinal change that is tantamount to development. History will never forget Governor Goje for his good gesture; as such the up coming generation of Balanga will surely remember how the politicians of Balanga ruin their future.
For all that was said, the people of Balanga Local Government Area believed that His Excellency, Governor Goje is a champion of the 7points Agenda of Mr. President which Agriculture is a key point and Balanga Local Government Area is synonymous to Agriculture. The name of the Local Government was crowned after the famous Balanga Dam supposedly to be the largest dam with the largest farming advantages in the state. Cash crops like cottons, cereal crops are largely produce from this part of the state. It is also on record that the people of Balanga LGA are farmers with enough farm lands that attract foreign investors. Governor Goje kindly redeem your pledge to the people of Balanga that voted for you not the few sycophants around you, solve our biggest problem, our road, even though it’s said to be a federal government project, we all believe that you are in a better position to communicate this, please and it will be a plus for a good reason to Mr. President to realize the 7points Agenda. Thank you.
Ibrahim Garba Wala
Abuja .
