Alhaji (Dr.) Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State has dedicated himself to completing structures started by the past administration, an opposition party. Credit should be given to his leadership quality and accommodating stance which made him not to revoke or abandon the contracts. It was even the same contractors of the opposition party that started the contracts that the governor allowed to complete them. This is a rare gesture for leaders; and this singular act shows his level of tolerance and willingness to carry everybody along. He is indeed a shining example for all.
Governor Yari is imbued with a vision to change the face of Zamfara State with his transformation agenda. He is a prudent and far-sighted administrator who has dedicated himself to improving the living standard of his people.
Alhaji Lawali Aliyu Dan Gulbi
In this interview, Alhaji Lawali Aliyu Dan Gulbi, a civil engineer and chairman, Maru Local Government area of Zamfara State speaks on the governor’s exceptional qualities, the governor’s efforts at alleviating poverty, providing good health care and adequate security in the LG, among others. The chairman who started his career with Anka Local Government Area after graduating from The Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, the people of the local government are eager to reciprocate the governor’s good gesture with their votes come 2015. Elected councilor in 1999, the astute chairman became chairman in 2011. Except:
What is the impact of the state government in Maru local government area?
Our dream has come true. The long awaited road that links inter and intra-town and villages in the local government area is now done. The state has expended over N16 billion on the road that links Magami-Bindin-Dan Gulbi which bursts out at Dan-Kurmi and again links Dan Kurmi to another local government headquarters, that is Anka Government Local. Also another important road is Tashar Abu to Bingi. Honestly, people in these areas have got their our dividends of democracy and highly relieved of there burden of bad roads – especially during the rainy season. Still, the government did not stop at that, Governor Yari opened up new township roads and a bye-pass in the local government headquarters. We now have a hospital about to be completed. Thirty-six new classroom blocks were also constructed and other renovated all over the council area. The state government also provides good drinking water through boreholes in all parts of the local area.
Poverty Alleviation
Over 600 vehicles were given to the local government area in order to alleviate poverty among our people. The vehicles include 200 cars, and over 400 motorcycles, which were given to politicians. This gesture has eased the transportation problems in this area. The people here also benefited from monetary gesture as poverty alleviation. The gesture ranging from N25,000 to N50,000. A welfare package was also instituted in the whole state and it is called Ramadan or Sallah package where grains, sugar and clothing materials are given out to people. Our consignment always goes to 114 polling units so that the people at the grassroots will also have their share of this gesture.
Health facilities
The state government has constructed and upgraded a health centre to a status of general hospital in Maru Town, while another general hospital is about to be completed is in Dansadau Town. Others health facilities at Mutunji and Gobirawar Chali are now in the pipeline. Drugs and mosquito nets were also provided for pregnant women in the local government areas.
What have you done as a local government council?
Most of the work executed by the state government here are collaborative efforts between the local government and the state. All the money spent is local government fund. We design or propose a project and send it to the state government for approval and execution of our plans. Directly on our own part we look into the security problem in the local government area. I personally give security more priority so that we can reduce the insecurity to the barest minimum. Toward this effort the local government council constructed a modern police station at Dan Gulbi, which cost over N24 million. In addition to this, we have plans for 11 more police stations across the local government area so that we can reduce the rate of crime to the lowest level. Another direct project from the local government is the Friday Mosque, which has just been approved by The Preaching Board; the project, which will consist of borehole, reservoir and overhead tank will gulp over N6 million. In the same vein we expended N5 million in rehabilitating boreholes through the local government. I also link the Local Government Secretariat with National Grid at the cost of N2 million. We also purchased canoes for taking people across the river in various parts of the local government likewise the local government constructed 30 shops at Dan Sadau Market in conjunction with Fadama III. We provide medication to our Health Centres at Yartasha, Dan Gulbi.
What is your perception of the administration of local government?
Before I came in I had a different perception on the administration of local government council, on my assumption everything were not the way I expected, I had to restructure and overhaul the local government affairs because you hardly find a personal file in the secretariat, they all take their file away. Secondly, no record to show what is what or who is who. In most cases you find out that the local government secretariat is always empty. The staff are not punctual simply because they receive their monthly salary through e-payment.
What message to your people?
There is no need to call for anybody to cast his vote for His Excellency because right now the electorate has sent to the governor that he has the votes. We are all waiting for the D-day. We are assuring Governor A. A. Yari his governorship office come 2015. We are eager to reciprocate the good gesture with our votes. People now understand what politics mean and what democracy is all about. We give fertilizer almost free of charge; we always enjoy other remunerations, we are being fed and clothed by His Excellency. So we beg him to stay; we are going to re-elect him to office for the second time God willing.
What are you doing in terms of security?
One unit of police was sent to us through the intervention of His Excellency to come and complement the insecurity in the local government area and they were deployed to Mutuji, Madada and Guru. There are many mobile policemen at Dan Sadau, Ugwar Galadima, Dan Gulbi Ungyado and Bindin. The state government had provided them with vehicles and given them logistic supports.
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