Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has told perpetrators of the violent protest in Azare, Katagum local government area that they were hurting themselves and the people, and not the government.
The governor said they were not hurting the government or those they perceived as the cause of their hunger and anger.
He spoke to journalists yesterday at the end of an assessment visit to examine the impact of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Azare. “Even if we have loose holes, limitations and inadequacies, it should not be translated into such kind of destruction which is communal destruction,” he said.
The governor said it was however a wake-up call, and the government would do its best to ensure that it does not happen again.
“We are going to look at this vicinity which houses most of the miscreants and the charlatans, so that we can redesign the place to make it accessible. I just discussed with the commissioner of police on the need to put a police station here, because it appears to be an ungoverned space,” he said.
He regretted that the local government secretariat was the worst hit with half of the building destroyed, and three-quarters of the property looted, including the ICT salary section and other important places, with equipment taken away.
“It appears that we have to go to the drawing board and redesign and build the secretariat. And we would do it because it is the seat of administration of the local government council, and second biggest town in the state.
“We also visited an Islamiyya school that was destroyed, the Government Lodge, not very bad and residence of the distinguished Senator Baba Tela, and so on.
“For the Islamiyya, we are going to give them assistance to renovate it, even the distinguished senator we will give him assistance to make sure that we reduce the pains and cost of the repairs,” the governor said.
He added that his administration initiated a comprehensive plan to restore and reinvigorate Azare including the construction of additional roads, renovation of public buildings and establishment of empowerment programmes for the people, specifically youths and women.
Earlier, the governor visited the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Umar Farooq II and commended him for his contributions to the development of the state, promotion of peace and support for his administration, and urged community leaders to intensify effort in promoting unity and peace.
Responding, Alhaji Umar Farooq II commended Governor Mohammed for his concern, assuring him of the total support of traditional rulers.
