GRASSROOTS NEWS: 2022-03-13

QUA’AN-PAN LG. CHAIR. HON. DA’A PRESENTS N2.9B BUDGET OF HOPE AND TRANSFORMATION

The Executive Chairman Qua'an-Pan Local Government Council, Hon. Ernest A. Da'a have presented a budget proposal of Two billion, nine hundred and eighty-three million, five hundred and sixty-four thousand, five hundred and thirty-two naira (N2,983,564,532.00), only for the 2022 fiscal year to the Legislative arm.

Presenting the Appropriation Bill which was christened: "Budget of Hope and Transformation" at the Legislative Chambers, the Chairman noted that his administration will pursue a prudent policy stance that will entrench efficient spending, curb waste, engender inclusivity and enable excellent service delivery.

Da'a while pledging to leave no stone unturned in the effort to build a Strong, vibrant and resilient system undergirded by good governance and people centric programmes, appreciated the cooperation and synergy enjoyed from the Legislative Arm which he described as a model in the annals of Legislative-Executive relations.

Giving some of the budget expenditure breakdown, the Chairman stated that in recognition of the fact that his administration will try to transform the area through the execution of diverse projects in communities,. Capital projects will gulp Seven hundred and twenty-six million, two hundred and ninety-nine thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine naira only, while Recurrent expenditures which comprises of Salaries and Wages will take Five hundred and seventy-four million, one hundred and fifty-one thousand, two hundred and one naira only.

The Council Chairman explained that indicators from the expected incomes in the Appropriation bill shows that the budget will have a deficit of Two hundred and fifty million naira, which will hopefully be financed through internal loans.

He however noted that being mindful of the heavy burden of paying the monthly salaries of our workers, committees will be constituted to verify and ascertain actual monthly wage bills of both teaching and non-teaching staff as well as Council staff and pensioners.

Hon. Da’a started with an assurance that his administration will be resolute and dedicated in the implementation of the budget in line with global best practices, by galvanizing every opportunities at their disposal to deliver the needed dividends of democracy to the citizens.

The Chairman further disclosed that the budget will pay more attention to the needs of the people of Qua’an-Pan LGA, base on peculiarities of the diverse sectors of the communities.

“I want to solicit for more cooperation from our highly esteemed work-force that form the engine room in the discharge of government programmes, to be meticulous and exhibit the needed sense of decorum for optimum output in their services", the Council Boss added.

Hon. Ernest A. Da’a thanked the Legislators, other Executive Council members, the Directors, the Traditional Council, the Union Leaders, the Religious Leaders, Party Leaderships, Party Faithful and others from all works of life, for gracing the very important event.

Speaking on behalf of the Legislative members, House Leader, Hon. Jonah Yaksun Damar appreciated the Council Chairman for paying attention to the areas that affects the well-being of the citizens in the budget and expressed hope that the programmes and policies of the administration will be pacesetting in the entire Plateau State.

Damar gave assurance that the document would be treated as a family affair, adding that the Executive must give necessary explanations in the process of scrutinizing the budget to enhance accelerated passage.

The budget presentation came to a close with the Executive Council and others taking a bow, while Legislative plenary continued.

TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

BY ALEX DIKYES, ABUJA

A passionate appeal has been made to Nigerians to holistically embrace and welcome the synergy between the Nigerian emergency management system and ambulance services for effective service delivery in the area of healthcare towards saving lives.

This was contained during an international emergency ambulance conference 2022 by AfriEmergencies ltd on the importance of ease access to health services, particularly out of hours and its significant contributions to telephone triage through sophisticated communications to its mission of "safe life".

Speaking during the conference, the country director Mr Obodozie Christian Uche said a more robust system would enable the organization to rescue more dying patients who need urgent medical attention looking at the healthcare ecosystem.

In a key note address, Cross River State Commissioner of health, Dr Betty Odu commended the United kingdom partners for influencing the outcome of health initiatives.

Dr Odu noted that with the presence of Ambulance emergency services in the country, FCT is the pilot place for efficient transfer of patients information by integrating ambulance services to improve health initiatives to other states in the country.

The commissioner said , the Pre- hospital clinical environment of ambulance operations, being part of the health system would ensures consistent patient care from the home or event to the hospital as first point of contact with any emergency incident.

On his part, Richard Lynn stressed that Ambulance services has provided a more efficient model in terms of resources and cost which makes a huge range of unmeasured contributions to patient outcomes.

The conference had its theme: Emergency ambulance service as a vital factor in patient survival and recovery.

QUA’AN-PAN COUNCIL BOSS, APC LEADERSHIP, STAKEHOLDERS SYNERGIZE FOR GREATNESS

The Executive Chairman Qua’an-Pan LGC and leader of QP Project, Hon. Ernest A. Da’a on Wednesday March 16, 2022, had an interface with the leadership and other stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) within the LGA; as part of deliberate synergy and efforts to fortify the party towards greater heights.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Ernest A. Da’a, harped on the need to bring everyone on board and be united.

Hon. Da’a charged the party faithful to be loyal to the APC, as they close ranks in order to form a force to reckoned with.

The Executive Chairman further called on the membership of the APC not to rest on their oars, but work hard for the party towards victory in the 2023 General Elections.

Da'a also assured the party of the Council's total support toward achieving greater successes and thanked them for ensuring 100% success of the party during the October 2021 Council poll.

In his remark, Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Jonah Damar called on the people of Qua’an-Pan to support APC, adding that the party, through the Council has done much within the few months in office.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of APC, Qua’an-Pan LGA and the immediate past Leader of Qua’an-Pan Legislative Arm, Hon. Haruna Jibrin Kangmi, assured of their commitments and readiness to deliver the APC in 2023.

He further assured of their unflinching support to the Qua’an-Pan Project administration under Hon. Ernest A. Da’a, whom he described as God's sent, given his successes within the short time in office.

Hon. Kangmi said that the APC is the only party for the people of Qua'an-Pan and called on every progressive person to support Hon. Da’a, saying the Council Chairman has done much to the people and with much support, his administration will provide more dividends of democracy to the people of Qua’an-Pan.

The APC Chairman called on the citizens of Plateau State to support the Governor Simon Bako Lalong Administration to deliver on his mandate.

"We should continue to support the Governor Simon Bako Lalong led adminstration at all times for it to succeed", he added.

The meeting had in attendance the Council Deputy Chairman Hon. Helen Henniet Wapmuk, the State Financial Secretary, Alhaji Isa Musa, all the APC Ward Chairmen, Supervisory Councillors, Special Advisers, among other stakeholders.

MIKANG COUNCIL BOSS PRESENTED "BUDGET OF UNITY" AMOUNTING TO N2,839,572,222 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ARM FOR THE 2022 FISCAL YEAR

The Executive Chairman of Mikang Local Government Council, Hon. Augustine Bako Presented a budget tagged " *THE BUDGET OF UNITY 2022"* for the fiscal year at the Legislative Chamber in Tunkus, Mikang Local Government Council Secretariat.

The Chairman who was absolutely eloquent in his presentation presented a total budget size of *N2,839,572,222* for the fiscal year to the legislators for legislative scrutiny and subsequent approval. He further added that despite the financial crises and insecurity bedeveling the country which has thrown a major challenge to the budget implementation, the council is leaving no stone unturned as he has outlined the Council's source of income to include; Statutory allocation from the federation account, Value Added Tax(VAT) and Internally Genarated Revenue (IGR) which he revealed that he has already set up a task force headed by Council's Deputy Chairman, Hon. Kevin Makum in that regard.

While presenting the burdget, Hon. Bako also mentioned that the budget is aimed at solving most of needs and aspirations of his people making emphasise on the education, agriculture, Heath care, social services, infrastructure among others. He appreciated the support his administration is enjoying not only from the Legislative, members of Executive and staff of the local government council but the entire Mikang people, urging them to do more for the growth and development of the local government Area.

In his response, the Leader Mikang Legislative Arm, Hon. Jonathan Zwegoe Tabial who is the councilor representing *Yep-west* ward of Piapung appreciated the Council's Chairman for the timely presentation, members of the executive arm and the general public for availing themselves to witness the event and promise to give the budget the necessary attention in the best interest of the local government and after, called on the majority Leader Hon. Noknan Monday who is the councilor representing *Gad-youm* ward of Garkawa to move a motion for the acceptance of the written document which was Immediately seconded by Hon. Yaten Wotlom, the Councilor representing Piapung Ward A. (Hoomsun)

The epoch event witnessed the presence of all members of the executive council, Elected Councilors, Directors of various Departments, traditional and religious leaders, party Chairmen, APC family and other political Party Members.

The event later went into a close door session between the Executive and Legislative arms of the council which lasted about two hours.

THE HON. CALEB SHIKIR DECLARATION

THE HON. CALEB SHIKIR DECLARATION

As electioneering campaigns towards the 2023 general elections gathered momentum, candidates are indicating interest to aspire for various positions.

Kanke local government was not left out as Hon Caleb Shikir stormed the Kwal PDP office in elegance to notify the party leadership of his intentions.

What was planned to be low-key turned out to be a gathering of astute grassroots politicians and women groups who converge to witness the official declaration of Hon Caleb Shikir's intentions to aspire for the House of Assembly in the forthcoming general elections

The event commenced with a resounding welcome by women groups who role out their drum and danced to the beat as Hon Shikir was been escorted by large motorcycle operators and a long convoy of vehicles.

Leading Hon Shikir was the PDP Chairman Garram ward accompanied by some politicians, friends, and well-wishers. As the PDP ward chairman ward presented the aspirant to the Kanke PDP Excos. He describes Shikir as a Worthy Son who has remained faithful and committed to the cause of PDP in the locality, he said Hon Shikir's financial contribution to the cause of the Party is monumental. His capacity and acumen to represent his people are second to none, he added.

In his declaration Hon Shikir said, his wealth of experience is his driving force to aspire for the position of the state House of Assembly, he noted that even though the zoning arrangement favors him, he believed he have the capacity and experience to represent his people.

Shikir said having traveled to other countries, states, places and the people he has met and interacted with has exposed him to a lot of things that if given the opportunity will help him represent his people well.

He further said, even though he is working in Abuja and always traveling to places, his touch with the grassroots remains constant and his focal point, aside from his farm which he personally supervises, he is always coming back home to participate in all kinds of activities.

In his response the Kanke PDP chairman Hon Godwin Golchin Gotus said, so far the party is having the finest and most intelligent candidates who are ready to run, therefore, as a party they are well prepared to tack back the power from the non-performing party, adding that the people are now wiser and are eagerly waiting for 2023 to do the needful at the ballot box.

He said the Shikir declaration has added color to the arrays of PDP candidates, noting that all legal challenges bedeviling the party have been overcome and the party is now stronger and focus. The recent by-election in the state has testified to those facts. He added.

Hon Caleb Shikir was also accompanied by his wife, who urges the women to participate in all political activities.

Amongst those who spoke described Hon Shikir was one of the best considering the arrays of grassroots politicians that grace the occasion. They also noted that the mammoth crowd that gathered to witness the event is an indication of the acceptability of Hon Shikir at the grassroots.

Hon. (Barr) Daniel Sani Auta has distributed schools uniforms amidst the outpouring of commendations and applauses

Hon. (Barr) Daniel Sani Auta has distributed schools uniforms amidst the outpouring of commendations and applause

The Special Adviser on Legal and Legislative Matters Jos North Local Government Chairman Hon Barrister Sani Daniel Auta has been commended for his initiative to lobby for the establishment of Government Junior Secondary Mazah and also for donating his two months’ salaries for the provision of school uniforms for pupils of primary one to five and also reimbursing funds for the payment of the first school leaving certificates examination of the primary six pupils in the area.

The Commissioners For Special Duties And Intergovernmental Affairs. Hon Irmiya Werr who represented the Governor of Plateau State and the Council Chairman Hon. Bala Usman who was represented by the Council Secretary Pastor Gyang Chollom both eulogized as well as commended Hon Daniel San-Auta for his foresight and spirit of philanthropist which they both said is worthy of emulation by others.

They made the commendation when they Flagg- off the distribution of over two hundred pairs of school uniform to the pupils of LEA Liba and LEA Nogohom of Mazah Nagohom District of Jos North LGA.

Before the commenceent of the distributions Reverend Dr. Ezekiel D Eggah of ECWA Goodnews Nassarawa Gwong prayed and dedicated the unitorms to God.

Others who spoke at the event were the President of Anaguta Students Union, Comrade Audu Kenneth who was full of appreciation said Barrister Sani Auta who was also the Presidents of the Anaguta Students Union has set the pace and it now behooves on them to continue with this noble gesture, it is a challenge to all the Anaguta sons and daughters and history will surely remember him, he added.

Earlier, before the commencement of the distribution of the school uniforms Hon. Barr, Daniel Sani Auta was at the Palace of the District Head of Nagohom, Pozoh Abemu Kaiwa to pay homage and also to receive the royal blessing.

Speaking to pressmen Daniel Sani Auta said what motivated him to embark on the distribution of the school uniforms to the pupils was informed by his desire to contributes his quota in the educational development of the Anaguta nation because the contemporary 21st-century world shifted its attention and focused on education as an instrument of launching

nations into the world of science and technology and with consequential hope of human advancement in terms of living conditions and development of the environment.

The special adviser said having identified education, as a live wire for human development and also the foundation for moral restoration and resurgence of his people, he lobbied for the establishment of Government Junior Secondary School GJSS to be Sited in Mazah, to enable the pupils who completed primary Six to continue their junior secondary education before proceeding to senior secondary. Approval has been given for the school to commence by the next school calendar year. He added.

The Anaguta female dancers spiced up the events with beautiful songs displayed to the beat of the African drum.