BEFORE Senator Muhammed Umar Jibrilla took the oath of office as Adamawa State governor on May 29, expectations from the people were high. These cut across political parties, ethnicities and senatorial districts. But their desire was unified on the platform of a common goal: the development of Adamawa State in all ramifications. It is pertinent to also say the state has been adjudged as one of the poorest in the federation in spite of its abundant opportunities.
In the midst of all of this, the only preoccupation on the mind of the governor was to bring about positive change and deliver the state out of the shackles of poverty and underdevelopment which has bedeviled it for decades. The positive way that the governor, known by his pet name, Bindow, has approached developmental challenges in the state is already yielding result.
With over 35 road projects ongoing, among other accelerated reforms and development, one could only marvel at the governor’s massive and proactive leadership style.
For him to have embarked on meaningful projects with such promptness despite meeting a nearly empty treasury can clearly be defined as the most daring move that has completely changed the state’s political landscape and equally impacted on the lives of almost all the citizens of Adamawa.
Bindow’s effort to right the wrongs perpetrated by the previous regimes has earned him many friends as well as enemies. But his dexterity and focus in rebranding Adamawa and repositioning it for greatness deserves more than just commendation.
The Jubrilla-led administration started on a sound footing. It evaluated the indices used in measuring development in terms of infrastructural growth and attacked headlong the lack of accessible roads in the heart of the state capital and environs.
No sooner than these road projects began that questions started to emanate on where the resources were coming from. In addition, the condition of some major hospitals in the state were reviewed after an on-the-spot assessment carried out by the governor and his deputy. All major hospitals in the three senatorial districts were in a dilapidated state, forcing residents to travel as far as Gombe and Taraba states to access adequate health care. The Bindow-led administration took a bold step to correct this by awarding contracts for the rehabilitation of major hospitals in the three senatorial districts, including the specialist hospital in Yola. Other people-oriented projects embarked upon by the governor are aimed at easing the suffering of the people and providing a platform for the revamping of the state’s economy.
Now, the governor and his team are faced with the onerous task of rebuilding confidence and boosting the morale of civil servants and the citizenry at large following several years of mis-governance that stagnated the civil service and social services.
As should be expected, the past few months will not be sufficient to right all the wrongs. But careful planning on fundamental issues facing the state is being addressed to create an enabling environment for its economic renaissance.
To encourage civil servants who are the vital resources of the state, the government has ensured that the outstanding three years leave and transport grant allowances of civil servants were paid.
However, a pressing issue facing the young administration is the bickering that has characterised Adamawa politics since it was created. Sympathisers of former regimes, who are largely beneficiaries of the stupendous looting that took place in the past, are crying foul over every activity of a government that has denied them the undeserved free government money they enjoyed earlier.
Their inability to adjust to the present day realities has seen them blaming the less than six months regime of Bindow for the suffering caused by the past regimes that kept them well-fed while the vast majority of Adamawa people languished in poverty.
The story of Adamawa was so bad that many politicians found themselves in office undeservedly at a time when roads had been dilapidated, no potable water for the people, boreholes in rural communities were not functioning and the living condition of the average citizen deteriorated.
The general condition before the coming of Bindow was such that there was a ruling class and a new serf class being created. Government ministries, paratatals and agencies were placed under inept administrators that grounded simple administrative procedure to a standstill. Pipes that used to supply water to homes became rusty, education and a host of others came to their lowest ebb when corrupt politicians enjoyed unlimited wealth and power.
Beneficiaries of previous governments, on realising that power had slipped from their hands, are now through the media, busy casting aspersions with intent to sway the governor and the good people.
But the good news is that, Bindow is determined not to be distracted, he is focusing on the great task of ensuring that the fortunes of Adamawa State is changed for the better and that the united front posed by Adamawa electorate is not jeopardised by ensuring that the dividends of democracy is delivered to the masses.
It is, therefore, very important that the Adamawa people remain resolute in their resolve for a positive change that will last long enough to benefit generations yet unborn. The government is a people’s government in which the Adamawa people have a say and they should not allow themselves to be swayed away by mischief-makers and those who want the state to remain perpetually underdeveloped. Change is here, championed by the governor and his team. A united front will ensure that the dreams, goals and vision of the Bindow administration are realised.
*Dickson, Senior Assistant to Adamawa governor on Press and Media Affairs writes from Yola.
