By Callistus Agwaza, in Jalingo
The Chairman of Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba state, Dr. Jauro Hassan, says attention should be focused on the development of the grassroots as panacea for improving the living condition of the people.
He stated this at the inauguration of supervisory councilors on Saturday in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital.
Hassan who is also the Chairman of Taraba state chapter of the
Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON),lamented that local governments, being the third tier of government closest to the people, are unfortunately the most neglected.
He charged the councillors to dedicate themselves to the service of the people.
“Bear in mind that you are the office holders closest to the people and so it is an all important task that is ahead of you all”, Hassan admonished the councillors.
“We have found ourselves in a situation where development is mostly focused in the cities at the detriment of the local government areas and communities where the majority of the people live.
“This approach has caused total absence of development in most communities. This leads to a sharp rise in rural to urban migration that is needless”, the council chairman said.
Speaking further, he said, “Here in Taraba, we are now lucky to have a governor whose top priority is to bring development to the people. “He is focused on alleviating the poverty of the people and we must all key into this project.
” As the closest representatives of the people, you are the main foot soldiers and you must take this responsibility very seriously.
“We would collaborate with His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas and other state machineries to ensure that development reaches every nook and corner of our local government, depending on the peculiar needs of the people in every given community.
“I therefore congratulate you all once again on your appointments and urge all stakeholders to put our differences aside.
“This is no time for politicking. It is time for good governance and we must all work together to achieve our dream of bringing dividends of democracy to our people”.
Seven supervisory councilors and 10 advisers were inaugurated for the seven wards that make up Jalingo LGA, pending the conduct of the local government elections in the state.