Bauchi House of Assembly, on Tuesday, adopted Two motions calling on the Executive arm to take prompt action in mitigating issues of flooding as well as rehabilitation of vandalised electric poles across the State.
The adoption followed a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance by the member representing Madara/Chinade Constituency, Hon. Nasiru Ahmed Ala drawing the attention of the House, in which in the last two weeks, there was a serious case of a devastating heavy downpour with shocking outcomes across the State.
He said that his Constituency is equally affected by the misfortune where floods generated landslide and eventual destruction of a major culvert that links Gangai with the larger parts of the Constituency.
According to him, “As it is now, the road is impassable and the whole area is locked up from connecting with its neighbours. If this problem is not urgently addressed, the area will be prevented from enjoying basic services for its daily necessities.”
Hon. Nasiru Ahmed Ala, therefore, requested the House to urgently call on relevant Government Agencies to immediately repair or reconstruct the culvert so as to restore mobility on the road as the axis has no other alternative route to other areas.
And a follow-up mandate should be conferred upon relevant House Committee and be given a timeline for reporting back to Honourable House on situations surrounding compliance on the matter.
In his contribution, Hon. Habibu Umar representing Kirfi Constituency said that the motion was very important and since the road is the only road linking the areas, the House should look at the matter urgently and adopt all the prayers of the motion.
The House unanimously adopted the motion after the Speaker put the prayers to voice vote.
Also, the Member representing Lere/Bula Constituency, Hon. Abdulrashid Adamu Muazu moved a motion calling on the State to commence a comprehensive rehabilitation of all vandalised electric equipment at various communities in order to restore electricity supply to Bununu, Gital, Burga, Dull, Boto, Maigemu, Maijujun Tasha, Gabygel, Gwashe and Kardam Towns in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.
Leading debate on the motion, Hon. Abdulrashid Adamu Muazu said that towns and villages in his
Constituency, which include; Bununu, Gital, Burga, Dull, Maigemu, Boto, Maijuju-Tasha, Gabgyel, Gwashe and Kardam, have long been in darkness as a result of vandalization and theft of installed electric equipment at various locations, thereby causing so many hardships to them and their means of livelihood.
He noted that all the micro-businesses undertaken by people in these communities are running below-installed capacity and, in most cases, incurring losses because they cannot compete in local markets due to high cost of production as a result of running businesses using Diesel or Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
According to him, ”The resultant effects of prolonged unavailability of power supply in these areas may push most of our youths out of their means of livelihood, which would have negative impacts on the safety of lives and properties of the people of the entire Local Government Area and beyond.”
He also said that he “and also worried that continued lack of power in these Communities has drastically affected the tourism and hospitality of our local government which would have earned us abundant revenue and as well, sell us to the world.”
Abdulrashid Adamu Muazu called the House to request the Executive Arm of Government to commence comprehensive repairs and rehabilitations of all the vandalized electric equipment in the communities.
The State Ministry of Rural Development and Special Duties should collaborate with the Ministry of Mines and Power to ensure the inclusion of the projects in the Bauchi State 2024 Budget Estimates, and the House Committees on Rural Development and Mines & Power should liaise to ensure compliance.
In his contribution, Hon. Ibrahim Tanko Burra representing Burra Constituency said that the importance attached to rehabilitation of rural electricity is immeasurable thus seconds the motion.
The House adopted the motion after the Speaker put the amended prayers to voice vote.
Meanwhile, the Speaker announced the demise of the father of one of the photographers of the House, Surajo Moli.
He expressed the sympathy of the House on the great loss and asked Hon. Babayo Muhammad Hardawa representing Hardawa Constituency to lead a prayer for the deceased and for the ease of hardship being faced by citizens across the Nation.
The House also resolved to pay condolence visit to the family of Surajo Moli after the plenary session after adjourning to Wednesday, 23rd August, 2023 as moved and seconded by the Majority Leader Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir and the Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Babayo Muhammad.
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