President Buhari assures better deal for Bauchi communities

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured better deal for Bauchi communities, adding that no part of the country would be neglected irrespective of its geographical location or political inclination.

He stated this in Bauchi yesterday at the commissioning and handover of flood-control projects executed by the Ecological Project Office (EPO), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The projects cut across Rimi Zayam, Polchi and Gwalfadako communities in Toro local government area of Bauchi State.
The President, who was represented by member representing Toro Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon Umar Muda Lawal, said that the project would improve the livelihood of the benefitting communities, enhance their living standard and boost economic activities within Rimi Zayam and Toro axis.

He encouraged the communities to take ownership of the projects, maintain and guard them jealously.
In her address, the Permanent Secretary of EPO, Dr. Habiba Lawal stated that the project was initiated through a request by Hon. Umar Muda Lawal on the need for an urgent intervention to arrest the continuous flooding and erosion of the bridge embankment along Rimi Zayam, Polchi and Gwalfadako river in Toro.

Lawal, who was represented by the Director of Pollution Control Department, EPO, Mr. Abubakar Takum reiterated EPO’s determination to ensure that no project is abandoned under the present administration.

She said that the project would serve the dual purpose of enabling the host community take over and exercise ownership as well as ensure its maintenance and sustainability, thereby avoiding waste.

In his goodwill message, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman of Toro local government area, Alhaji Ismaila Yusuf Nabordo was optimistic that the project would ease the transportation hitches experienced in the communities as well as boost economic activities.

On his part, the District Head of Toro, Alhaji Umar Adamu Waziri, who was represented by the village Head of Tulai, Alhaji Jaafar Idris Ibrahim appreciated the federal government for the gesture and assured the community’s readiness to take ownership of the projects for the development of the area.

— Chika Okeke is a journalist with MOC and the Publisher/ Editor of Bennyokeke.blogspot.com, an online news platform.
She joined the services of LEADERSHIP Media Group in 2008 as a Reporter where she rose through the ranks as a Senior Reporter to Deputy Editor Daily, Deputy Editor, LEADERSHIP Sunday and Deputy Editor, LEADERSHIP Friday.
During her sojourn in LEADERSHIP Media Group, she had covered the activities of FCT Area Councils, Ministries of Tourism and National Orientation, Works & Housing and Environment.
With over one decade in journalism, she was able to explore various reporting and writing techniques such as feature writing, editing, investigation and editing, with over over 300 publications to her credit.
She has covered workshops and conferences, both in Nigeria and abroad.
She is currently the Treasurer, Environment Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) and a member of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).