By Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Communities across Zing Local government council of Taraba State have commended the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, John Kizito Bonzina, for attracting development projects that have improved living conditions and access to education in the area.
Speaking separately to Journalists during a tour of area, community leaders revealed that the long-standing challenge of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members rejecting postings to rural communities due to lack of accommodation has been largely addressed by the Speaker.
Newly constructed and well-equipped corpers lodges have been provided in Yakoko, Monkin and other communities, making rural postings more attractive and reducing hardship for members posted there.
Some corps members who spoke with our correspondent confirmed that the availability of the new facilities has reversed the earlier trend in which many avoided postings outside the local government headquarters.
They said they were informed that the lodges were facilitated through the personal efforts of the Speaker, although many had not met him directly.
In the education sector, the establishment of new examination centres in Dindin and other communities has eased the burden on secondary school students who previously trekked long distances to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Community leaders said the intervention has enabled students to write examinations in safer and more convenient locations.
Bonzina’s interventions have also extended to rural electrification, with transformers provided in several communities, the community leaders said.
The residents noted that access to electricity has reduced the need to travel long distance to the council headquarters, Zing, for basic services such as grinding corn and millet.
The community members also recalled the hardship experienced when floods washed away major bridges linking their communities to the Zing.
A third class chief in the area, Mr. Bitrus Adama, said many communities were cut off until the Speaker intervened to restore access.
“The Speaker of the State House of Assembly came to our rescue,” Adama said, adding that the establishment of examination centres has made it possible for students to write WAEC examinations comfortably without trekking several kilometres.
He assured that the communities would continue to support the Speaker in appreciation of his efforts.
Another community leader, Mr. Hamawa Yohana Musa, listed the benefits of the new clinics, examination centres, transformers and bridges, and called on the National Assembly members as well as other elected and appointed officials from the area to collaborate with the Speaker to further accelerate development.
Speaking to our correspondent, the Vice Chairman of the council, Cletus Yohana, pledged that the council would work to protect the new structures and electrical installations from vandalism to ensure their sustainability for the benefit of residents.
Recall that most communities in Zing local government area of Taraba have been classified as Hard to Reach by development partners especially the United Nations funded agencies.
The Speaker, in interview, has reassured his constuents of more dividends of democracy within the problems of available resources.
While wishing them a prosperous new year, Bonzena called for continuous support and encouragement from the communities.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.