Chairman of Mubi South local government area of Adamawa state who is also the All Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) boss, Jingi Rufai, has called on the federal government to give special intervention and support to border communities, especially where there is banditry and other security challenges.
He stated this in an interview with journalists in his office in Gella, headquarters of Mubi South where he also called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency fast track the reconstruction of the North-east and come to the aid of those who lost their houses and means of livelihood as a result of insurgency.
“The border communities deserve special attention from the federal government because it is only when attention is given to them that we can sleep with our two eyes closed. They are the epic centres where such insurgent activities usually take place, so, with these support, these challenges can be brought to an end.
“I know the state and the federal government is doing their best and a lot of progress has come to us through the North east development commission, but I want to also appeal to the federal government to be more proactive in reconstructing the North-east and integrating our people that have been displaced for some years now.
“Some lost their houses, some lost their businesses and others lost their belongings and means of livelihood and up to this moment, most of them are yet to regain their losses or support to enable them pick the broken pieces of their lives and move on.”
He applauded Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for his foresight and leadership qualities, which resulted into so many achievements recorded in the state in most sectors, especially in the area of security, education transformation through introduction of free education, school feeding programmes, road constructions, prompt payment of salaries among many other achievements.
Jingi further noted that Fintiri exceptional leadership style and his decision to grant local governments in the state their autonomy have enable local councils in the state to be back to life and execute so many people oriented projects in their various local governments unlike what was experienced in the past where local government chairmen are completely handicapped financially, making it difficult for them to stay in their localities and attend the needs of their people.
He further stated that, when he came on board, he inherited accumulated salary arrears worth over 30m, but with financial autonomy and prudent management of resources, he was only able to settle 30 to 40% of these arrears.