Yes, I read Frantz Fanon’s “Wretched of the Earth”. I also read of the lamentation of Mallam Isa Yuguda who as the Governor of Bauchi State regretted that the poorest man on earth (or do I say in Nigeria) lives in the North. The two instances cited relate to consequent of man inhumanity to man or man in conflict with the environment or man in relation to his environment.
Today, let’s come nearer home and by this to Borno State and to a particular location or community where lamentations and marginalisation have been the bane of the society concerned. I now take you to Kala Balge Local Government Council. The Local Government described by Governor Kashim Shettima as the most marginalised of the 774 Local Government areas in the country.
According to the Governor, the geographic location of the local government along the shores of the Lake Chad with difficult topography had made the successive governments in the state to neglect the council area to a near outcast. Kashim noted that due to lack of roads, it was impossible to access many communities in Kala Balge during the rainy season. This, he explained, not only threatens the socio-economic mobility, but as well makes the council vulnerable to security hostage situation.
Governor Kashim lamented the affliction of the local government of recent when he launched the 15 heavy duty construction equipment worth N550 million in Maiduguri for the construction of a highway from Ngala to Kala Balge Local Government area through Rann, the Kala Balge local government headquarters. Kala Balge is in the northern part of Borno.
Shettima directed the Borno Road Maintenance Agency to immediately deploy the equipment to the affected areas and delivered the finished product (road) within the next twelve months, pledging that he would liaise with the security agencies to especially the military for collaboration and support in respect of deployment of troops to ensure the successful execution of the job.
Fully aware of the seriousness of the governor with regard the plight of the people of Kala Balge, the chairman of BORMA, Engr. Satomi Saleh told Kashim to expect the completion of all earth works of the project within the next five months after which the road would be tarred. Engr. Satomi promised to deliver the road before May, 2019, being the end of the second tenure of Governor Kashim.
The people of Kala Balge Governor Kashim told “not to weep” for their predicament knew no bound to joy as work has begun on the road
project.
Besides, the neglect and subsequent lamentations of the local government as a result of its geographical location it has suffered additional calamities and travails. For example, since the assault of Boko Haram sect in Borno State, the local government knew no peace. It has been subjected to series of attacks resulting in deaths, sorrow and blood. Consequently, life was almost grounded to a halt in the affected areas as the people flee for their lives. As if this was not enough, some people in the areas including some workers of the Non-Governmental Agencies were abducted. Hauwa Liman, a worker with the International Red Cross Society who was recently executed by the insurgents was abducted along with others in Rann, the headquarters of the Local Government. Reports have it that some aid workers abducted in the zone are still with the insurgents.
The local government has gone through travails and trials. However, the hope for redemption is nearer than the journey encountered so far. This is the assurance given to the people by Governor Shettima
These are by no means the lamentations of the people of the local government. Remember, some time back when the Nigerian Air Force plane on routine surveillance along the shores of Lake Chad, spotted a Boko Haram like gathering and released the bomb killing scores of people. Unfortunately, the victims were the innocent people of Rann that were the mistaken identity. This was indeed a sad day and moment for the people of Kala Balge in particular and Borno in general. Informed sources has it that on hearing the news of the tragedy, Governor Shettima who was presiding over a crucial meeting at the Government House, Maiduguri suddenly left the meeting in disturbed mood.
No doubt, the local government has gone through travails and trials. However, the hope for redemption is nearer than the journey encountered so far. This is the assurance given to the people by Governor Shettima. It is the hope of all that Kala Balge will one day know and experience peace and development.
Victor Izekor, a public affairs commentator, writes from Maiduguri for The Point
newspaper.
