Despite deteriorating insecurity in the North-east, the member representing Bayo, Biu, Sani and Kwaya-Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State, Hon Muktar Aliyu Betara, has evolved a way of meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the populace, writes Ademola Adeyemo Without being told, Borno State is known the world over as the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has plagued the country since 2009. More than 4,500 people have reportedly lost their lives while countless number of families had been displaced with property worth billions destroyed. This situation has kept the cost of living on the rise but a few individuals have also decided to support their towns and villages to provide succour. While it is the hope of many that the crisis in Borno and other parts of the North-east will soon blow away, persons whose duty it is to cater for the people have not relented in their efforts to bring succour to them. Political office holders, especially those from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, have become increasingly aware of the need to be there for the people at all times. Some members of the National Assembly have worked closely with their state governments to push forward the people’s agenda in the hope of restoring peace and security to their areas. In a recent encounter, the member representing Bayo, Biu, Sani and Kwaya-Kusar Federal Constituency, Hon Muktar Aliyu Betara, said despite all that has happened in the state, the people are as happy and cheerful as other Nigerians everywhere. We have not lost our sense of humanity. Our communities are functioning, and praying with the hope that things will be normal soon. By nature, Africans are people known for their resilience. In Borno, it is not different. We believe that resilience will see us through and we will come out of it stronger and wiser, he said. The situation has also made the lawmaker to redefine the concept of representation as many know it. Though the primary responsibility of a lawmaker is to make laws, Betara has devised a strategy of going the whole hog to give new meaning to the art of representation. Incidentally and due to this peculiar challenge, he does many of those things without making a public show of them. It may be safe to assume that Betara has mastered the art of service. Like many of his constituents say, his work speaks for him. Betara, like many of his colleagues, feel they have excelled in their core duties as legislators. But in order to leave a lasting legacy in the consciousness of the people, they have been directly involved in providing social infrastructure as well as impacting on the economic well-being of the people. Betara’s intervention is not restricted to one section of the system. Going through some of his projects, he has left his marks in virtually all aspects of the lives of the people. His interest is in how his programmes are changing the lives of the people around positively and not about the glitz that usually attends the inauguration of such projects. Take education for instance, Betara has constructed three blocks of two classrooms in all the four local government areas that make up his constituency. In addition, he has constructed, and donated three blocks of three classrooms with full furnishing and equipped with VIP toilets to Yawi and Gur wards in Biu Local Government Area of the state. Similarly, well over 50 students have benefited from his scholarship scheme instituted to help brilliant but indigent students from his constituency. In the health sector, Betara has constructed a primary healthcare centre in some select wards in Biu and Kwaya-Kusar Local Government Areas. He has also constructed a fully-equipped maternity centre in both Shani and Bayo local government areas. This is in addition to the offer of free medical treatment carried out in the constituency. One project dear to him is the need to empower women and youths to be self-reliant. On this, he has paid for the training of 500 women in the constituency in various trades and crafts. He has also trained and empowered youths through the provision of over 200 tricycles, 1500 motorcycles and 145 motor vehicles of various brands. He has offered assistance to boost farming and trading to over 500 youths and women. For the people of his constituency, he has succeeded in meeting their yearnings. And in recognition of his active participation in the House, Betara was appointed the Chairman, House Committee on Army, and so far, as attested by many of his colleagues, he has performed the task with distinction. Though there are security challenges in his native Borno State, Betara has been at the forefront of advocacy for a better welfare for soldiers and other security operatives battling to contain the insurgency in Borno and other parts of the country. Soldiering is the height of patriotism; you give your life to protect the lives of other citizens but there must be corresponding benefit to enable you give your all. The Army must be motivated and barracks must undergo facelift and renewal. This must be achieved in collaboration with the Army authorities. Perhaps what exists between Betaras committee and the army in terms of cordiality is the best seen since advent of democracy in 1999. Both committee members and the Nigerian Army have conducted themselves with dignity despite the palpable challenge of insecurity facing the nation. As democrats, Betara said all avenues of dialogues must be maintained to make progress. He said members of his committee and the Army are in touch at all times and as such, all issues are ironed out in the interest of the nation. In all the jobs we do, whether in plenary or at committee levels, we are always guided by national interest and our conscience. We believe our country is a unique nation with the potential to become one of the greatest countries on earth. We are doing our best to lay a solid foundation for the future generation and I am confident we will get to the Promised Land, soon, the lawmaker added.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 18:04:51 +0000
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