Politics
STAKEHOLDERS in Bida, Niger, have called for urgent government intervention to rehabilitate the deplorable Mokwa–Bida–Lapai–Lambata road and address the infrastructure and other pressing needs of the Niger College of Nursing Sciences, Bida.
The stakeholders made the demand in a communique issued at the end of an emergency stakeholders’ meeting convened by Bida Forum on Monday in Bida.
The communique was signed by the Chairman and Secretary of Bida Forum, Muhammad Jameel-Muhammad and Abdulkadir Muhammad-Mustapha respectively, on behalf of the participating organisations.
The meeting, which brought together representatives of various political, professional, youth, community, religious and civil society organisations, deliberated extensively on developmental challenges affecting Bida and surrounding communities.
The organisations represented included IPAC, Bida Forum, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Omo Oodua Yoruba Community, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Niger South Graduate Forum, Yitso Forum, Bida 70s Contemporary, Community Builders Movement and Inter-Tribal Association.
Others were Hausa Group Association, National Union of Teachers (NUT), ACCOMORAN, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), UPA, ASUP-BD, Bida Youth Progressive Union, NANISS, Human Rights, Joint Handwork Association and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
On the Mokwa–Bida–Lapai–Lambata road, the stakeholders described its deteriorating condition as unacceptable, saying that it had continued to expose commuters and other road users to hardship and serious risks.
They noted that the poor condition of the road had contributed to loss of lives, destruction of property, increased transportation costs, disruption of economic activities and heightened security concerns.
The stakeholders therefore, demanded immediate emergency intervention by the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and other relevant agencies to make the road motorable.
The communique also called for the full reconstruction or dualisation of the road, with clear timelines and immediate mobilsation of contractors to site.
The stakeholders further demanded transparency and accountability over previous appropriations and interventions for the road, as well as immediate engagement between relevant political representatives, government authorities and the people of the area.
To drive the campaign, the meeting resolved to sustain coordinated advocacy through traditional and social media platforms, while establishing a mechanism for engaging relevant authorities and stakeholders.
They also resolved to seek meetings with the Niger Governor, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, the Minister of Works, FERMA and other relevant political representatives.
The stakeholders further agreed to organise a community prayer session and, where necessary and subject to the law, consider peaceful protests, rallies and other lawful civic actions if meaningful intervention was not forthcoming.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the campaign will be driven under the hashtag: #FixMokwaBidaLapaiLambataRoadNow.
On the Niger State College of Nursing Sciences, Bida, the stakeholders expressed concern over what they described as the deplorable condition and perceived neglect of the institution.
They called on the Niger Government to urgently intervene and address the pressing needs of the college to enable it to provide an appropriate learning environment and fulfill its mandate.
The stakeholders resolved to seek an urgent meeting with Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago to formally present the comprehensive needs of the institution and secure clear commitments and timelines for action.
They also called on Sen. Peter Ndalikali to fulfill his pledge to provide an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre for the college and to give a clear timeline for its implementation.
The meeting further resolved to establish a mechanism for continuous monitoring and advocacy to ensure that commitments made by relevant authorities were translated into tangible results.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful, constructive and sustained advocacy in pursuit of development outcomes for Bida and Niger South.
They called on governments at all levels, political representatives, traditional institutions, professional bodies, civil society organisations, youth groups, the media and all sons and daughters of Bida and Niger South to support the collective effort.
The stakeholders stressed that the emergency meeting was intended to mark the beginning of coordinated action rather than another round of discussions.
The communique declared: “Bida must speak with one voice. Our demand is simple: action, not promises. Our commitment is firm: collective advocacy until there are measurable results.” (NAN)
M.P
Tags: stakeholders