By Sylvanus Viashima
JALINGO – Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas on Tuesday said that his administration is channelling development to the rural areas to tackle years of neglect that has resulted in huge infrastructural deficit where majority of the people live.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Digital Communication Hon. Emmanuel Bello disclosed this in an interview with our Correspondent in Jalingo.
Bello said that apart from direct projects undertaken by the State government in various communities across the State, the State government is partnering with other development partners through projects such as ACRESAL to ensure that the people residing in the rural areas also have a sense of belonging.
He disclosed that some of the thematic areas of interventions in rural areas include provision of safe drinking water, provision of quality health care, provision of free and compulsory education for all as well as rural electrification among several others.
“When we came on board, we noticed that there was a huge infrastructural deficit at the rural areas. Since I already had it in mind to make sure that my projects are people centred, we developed a template that will ensure that we focus development to bridge this gap.
“One year down the lane, I can tell you that we have made remarkable impact and the people are already feeling the effects in the key areas of interventions.
“As we speak, we have deployed ambulances to each and every ward in the State. This is the first time almost every community now has access to an ambulance. We are also revamping the Primary Health Care facilities by staffing them with competent hands and equipping them appropriately.
“Massive water projects are also either completed or ongoing in most communities across the State with bias for the rural areas. This is because we discovered that in most villages, people were drinking from ponds with animals. Of course you know the health implications.
“I don’t need to remind you that our free education policy is a major relief to our people especially the poor and downtrodden. It will surprise you that most children at the rural areas were out of school because their parents either couldn’t afford it or felt it wasn’t necessary. Now, education is not only free but compulsory. So parents have an obligation to ensure that every child goes to school.
“Another area is security. We are collaborating with key stakeholders in all the communities to ensure that the people stay in relative safety. Already we have made tremendous progress and are not relenting. Consequent upon this, most farmers are able to return to their farms to tackle the issue of food shortages that we are suffering.
“We have also distribution fertiliser and other farm inputs as well as tractors to farmers. What makes the difference here is that, unlike in the past when such distributions were mere formalities, we ensured that these items got to the those they are meant. We are also monitoring closely to ensure that any who tries to divert anything is apprehended and dealt with” he said.
Bello, speaking for the government warns that the administration has zero tolerance for sabotage and will not hesitate to wield the big hammer on anyone who tries to frustrate efforts of the government to ameliorate the suffering of the people and create a favorable environment individuals to harness their potentials wherever they are in the state.
