Though relative peace may have returned to Billiri LGA of Gombe State after the selection of the Mai Tangale, leaders of the community have kicked against some steps so far taken by the government in compensating those directly affected alleging that the entire process is fraudulent.
Addressing journalists in Bauchi at the NUJ Press Centre on Thursday, the Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA) and Board of Elders rejected the hijacking of the reconstruction process of the Billiri local government market stalls by members of the Kano Business community, saying that the whole process is fraught with injustice.
Led by the former Deputy Governor, Charles Iliya, the TCDA observed with dismay that, “the compensation paid by the government in respect of properties lost to the tune of N500m to owners of stalls burnt during the mayhem. It was clearly established at the commission of enquiry set up by the government that all the stalls belong to the local government save for 12 owned by the Pangurus but hired to mostly non-indigenes.”
The TCDA further said that “most disturbing and unheard of governance was the resolve by the State Government that 80 per cent of the bill for this compensation would be borne by Billiri LGA. In effect, therefore, the government of Gombe State under Governor Inuwa Yahaya had found the people of Billiri LGA guilty before receiving the report of its own commission of enquiry and give them collective punishment.”
A member of the Board of Trustees of the Tangale Community Development Association, Dr Daniel Maddo who spoke for the community stated that the Tangale Community Development Association was established for the purpose of promoting the economic and social well-being of the indigenous culture and customs of the Tangale people amongst other reasons.
He said that the association which had a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and Board of Elders on the 26th of August and concluded on the 2nd of October 2021, noted that the Kano Business Community are attempting to execute the reconstruction project in Billiri local government without involving members of the community, a development which the association said is tantamount to mortgaging the future of the Tangale nation.
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