Really, construction of roads, building and bridges are among the dividends of democracy. Nobody can deny that. In 1976, during the second republic under Governor Tatari Ali (late), Bauchi state including the current Gombe state witnessed drastic developmental changes in terms of social amenities. Many tarred single and dual carriageway roads, bridges, hospitals, ministries, educational institutions of different levels were constructed.
Another pace of development which brought Bauchi state into a modern territory was during Governor Ahmad Adamu Mu’azu (1999-2007). No part of the state remained untouched. Even most remote villages were linked with nearest access roads. To be candid, today’s people of Bauchi state don’t have the thirst of roads construction in them.
Unfortunately, Bauchi state is now in a total mishap under His Excellency Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. It has come to the point that he cannot even pay for salary over months. Workers are now roaming the streets begging for what to eat while the real beggars (Almajirai/physically disabled) are relocating to neighbouring states. Pensioners are getting stroke, heart attack, paralysis and death. Some are running into psychological disorders. The rate of crime is getting to peak. But nothing bothers him as he continued mismanaging the bailout given to him. He engaged in battling his political colleagues, senators, members house of reps, state’s APC stakeholders and suppressing the media. Everybody is confused while the APC national body failed to extinguish the fire.
Sorrowfully enough, Gov. Abubakar in his ignoble, unhappy and brutal administration, he approved and awarded the contracts for the construction, rehabilitation and dualisation of 175.312 km roads in some selected satellite areas of the state at the cost of N20, 487, 000. 445.58. This is nothing but waste and opening a new avenue to swindle our treasury. It is intense inhumanity of the governor on the populace of Bauchi state especially workers as their salary is being jeopardized. Though he is politically amateur but why all these never happened to his Jigawa state neighbour, Gov. Badaru Abubakar who is known to be a giant businessman? His workers never missed a single month salary. Why can’t he emulate him? What are your advisers and commissioners doing? Why can’t you fire them out if they can’t help you solve the problem facing your administration? Why can’t you settle with your political colleagues based in Bauchi and Abuja? Seek for advice from experts and listen to them. You can’t do it alone.
Excellency, incline your ears towards me and listen not only to hear, we are not after roads construction now! Just give priority to our social well-being. Bear it at the back of your mind that no matter how supreme or mighty you are, you can’t fight or escape death. The Most SUPREME ONE who lends to you some microscopic portion of His supremacy is waiting for you. You either do what will open the doors of heavens for you or do the vice-versa. The option is left for yours.
from: SULAIMAN AL-KAATIBI, JAHUN BAUCHI.
BAUCHI STATE
