Bida All Progressives Congress APC Stakeholders has expressed their over the motion of matter of urgent public interest raised on the floor of the House of Representatives by Hon.Mohammed Bala Farouk, representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal constituency over the fire incidence that engulfed the ancient Bida old market last week Thursday.
The APC Stakeholders in a statement said that the move by the lawmaker to attract sympathy and assistance of the federal government through the National Emergence Management Agency (NEMA) for the victims of the inferno is highly commendable and appreciated, but the legislator went off course at the tail end of his closing prayers in his allegation of neglect by the state government and the indifference of Mr. Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello to the plight of the victim of the inferno.
While appealing to Mr. Speaker to visit the remains of the burnt ancient market, Hon. Bala Farouk garrulously said, “Mr. Speaker, I want to appeal to you in your magnanimous magnanimity to visit Bida market, because as, I am speaking to you, my Governor has not visited the scene”. This statement is not only far from being the truth but a reflection of the state of mind of a politician who is far from his people.
APC Stakeholders alleged that the outburst of Hon. Farouk exhibited that he is an Abuja based politician, who has lost contact with his Constituents.
“His allegation of government indifference to the fire incident was not only untrue but wicked as government reacted promptly and accordingly.
It is on record that on the orders of Mr.Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Ketso, led a powerful team of government functionaries, which include, the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Isah Ladan, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Mikail Al-Amin Bmitosahi, Commissioners, Special Advisers, State Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Engr. Jibrin Imam and Secretary, Bar Liman Nku as well as other top government officials to Bida to commesirate with the victims, people of the town and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar in less than 24 hours after the unfortunate incident.”
The stakeholders maintained that the entire state government and ruling party machineries were in Bida to commiserate with the ancient city over the collosal loss. They said promptness of the Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello led administration to the incident was roundly commended by the people through our revered father, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
Beyond the visit, Gov Sani-Bello also directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to take inventory of the victims with the view to providing them with relief support.
APC Stakeholders however stated that Hon. Farouk’s drama was an antic a politician who is out to win cheap popularity by clearly playing to the gallery on the floor of the house.
“May we ask when did he visit the market? What effort had he made to reach out to victims of the fire incident that raised over 600 shops. It is on record that our representative abandoned his constitutents in time of need. It took him over 72 hours to visit Bida and when he did, Farouk sneaked in like a thief in the night, just for him to play to the gallery on the floor of the house on Tuesday.
Hon. Farouk should by now know that governance is not a one man show.” the stakeholders advised
