February 16

February 16

LETTERS PAGE 43

Yobe flyover a colossal waste but…

It is with heavy heart that I learnt that the Yobe state Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam would soon began the construction of flyover in Damaturu.

Flyover is geared towards easing traffic congestion within the metropolis and not for the beautification of the city as conceived by many Yobe citizens.

Is Damaturu a congestion city to build a flyover? Where is the traffic jam that will lead to the construction of a flyover in Damaturu? Frankly speaking, the construction of a flyover in Damaturu is a colossal waste of resources in a state like Yobe that require social infrastructural projects like hospitals, schools and provision of clean water. The state government should consider using part of the sum project to develop the rural areas in the state.

But, permit me to say here that, the performance of Governor Gaidam’s administration is commendable especially in the areas of roads construction.

However, there was a publication in Daily Trust of 13th January 2016, explaining the negligence of authorities on the welfare of IDPs in some camps within the state, no matter the motive behind it, the issues required serious investigation to ascertain its veracity. The publication has gone viral and had spread everywhere; there is need for urgent intervention to know the real situation. Here is a piece of advice to the Yobe State governor.

One, the governor may consider paying an unexpected visit to those camps for self-assessment. Two, he should constitute a strong committee with clear terms of reference to design better options and ways of responding to the need of IDPs in those camps, and three he should create a linkage between the services been offered at the IDPs camps to his office to fast tract emergency response.

The issues of flyover and the lives of the IDPs need a serious response from the government of Yobe state.

Zanna Samaila wrote in from Damaturu, Yobe State. He can be reached at [email protected]

When will Kano Maiduguri expressway be completed?

This question is directly poised at Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola. This road has been abandoned more than three years ago. Contract for the construction work on this expressway used by eight states namely, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa was awarded in 2004. The construction company Dantata & Sawoe has already removed most of their equipment to unknown destination.

Sule Musa Dutse, Jigawa State, 08060743251

Re: Controversy trails Kaduna free school feeding

It is sad that the primary schools teachers are threatening to embark on strike in Kaduna state over non-payment of salaries while school feeding is prioritise. Is it not a misplacement of priority that while the government gives one meal per day to pupils, it neglects the teachers making it difficult for them to cater for their families. Will this not affect the normal functions of public schools?

Mohammed Bagudu, Minna, 08094975018

Re: CCT: Saraki won’t resign until proven guilty – Ndume

The argument proffered by the Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, is a breach of the conscience of a discerning mind. The integrity of the institution of the senate should be protected and not an individual’s personality because to do so will tantamount to compromising the ethics that are supposed to be protected in any given situation. It is on record that the plenary sessions used to be stopped once the senate president is to attend to hearing at the Tribunal and thus effecting unnecessary stop gaps in running government affairs particularly law making activities which always amounts to man hour looses that could have been avoided in the first instance.

Abdulkadir Mamman, 08035890245

Re: Ministry of Happiness

I really enyoyed Mahmud Jega’s column titled, ‘Ministry of Happiness’. You have underscored one amazing fact that seemingly trivialities like romance and soccer are the kind of incentives that make Nigerians very happy. Yet I tend to disagree with you that grinding poverty and bleak future are no less threat to happiness.

Bishir Dauda, Sabuwar Unguwa, Katsina, 08165270879

Re: Beyond corruption stories

The Thursday’s column title, ‘Beyond corruption stories’, by Jideofor Adibe should be seen for what it is… An attempt by corruption to fight back. How could a sane society condone the brazen corruption of its few elite entrusted with the country’s resources? This time around they were so blind corrupt that the resources budgeted for the defence of our Fatherland was also stolen. No, Mr Adibe we will not support any conditional amnesty for looters this time around. They should look for another country to stay, in any event not Nigeria.

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