By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has assured people of the state that his administration will not allow the ongoing nationwide protest against bad governance tagged #EndBadGovernmentinNigeria to escalate.
The assurance was coming following the escalation in Azare, headquarters of Katagum LGA where the protesters went violent, vandalised the Government House Annex, house of a former Deputy Governor of the state, breaking of shops and looting spree of properties.
The Governor who addressed an emergency expanded security meeting at the Governor’s Office, Monday evening, urged citizens of the state to remain law abiding and exercise restraint by ensuring sustainable peace and stability in the state.
Bala Mohammed said that the peaceful protest by citizens of the country is a clear demonstration that government at all levels have failed in the discharge of their constitutional and statutory responsibilities..
He acknowledged the fact that there is a huge gap between the government and the governed in the country stressing that authorities at all levels have really heard the voices of the people now assuring that measures would be taken to address the problems and demands.
The Governor however commented people on the state for their peaceful conduct since the start of the protest but lamented the violence that erupted in Azare town, headquarters of Katagum LGA on Monday describing it as most unfortunate and uncalled for.
He then called on people of the state to continue to support his administration by being patient while government continue to provide quality leadership that will develop the state infrastructure deficit.
According to him, “Our administration has embarked on various key infrastructural developmental projects across the state, empowerment programmes under the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) in recognition of the need to make the people self-employed.
He also stated that his administration has supported LGAs to enable them function and perform their constitutional duties as the third tier of government by providing dividends of democracy to the people.
The Governor concluded by stressing that his administration will continue to partner with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that government lived up to expectations of the people.
The meeting was attended by security chief, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state.
