By
Babangida Galleon
Adamawa state Government has clarified that the motives behind its developmental strides and policies are not in any way to bring hardship or difficulty to the people of the state.
This clarification was made by the Principal Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Communication, George Kushi while Fielding questions from journalists during a media parley convenned in Yola the Adamawa State Capital.
The Principal Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Communications, George Kushi who is the convener of the 2024 first quarter media parley explained that the government’s decision to reconstruct and modernize the Jimeta shopping complex was part of it urban renewal drive and will ensure that no body is exposed to any hardship, hence the need to provide a temporary space for the occupants of the shopping complex to continue their day to day activities.
Kushi assured that upon completion of the work , government will give back shop owners their shops as new ones will equally be made available for allocation to new owners.
He stressed that the original plan and arrangement of the complex has been tempered with, posing security threat with other unwanted vices and there is the need to address the issue so that the capital city will also have a shopping complex of world standard.
Clearing the air on the government decision to ban felling of trees, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication, Doctor John Ngamsa who was at the parley explained that the policy is in tendern with the global practices of protecting the environment, that is why the government decided to announced the ban and at the same invite development partners like ACReSal to try and revamp trees and drill boreholes to water this trees.
He urged journalists to create a climate friendly communication strategy that is good enough to enlighten the people on the dangers associated to felling of trees in the name of making charcoal but they should rather look for other alternatives.
Responding to complaints of alleged extortions in respect to that issue by security operatives who are supposed to uphold the law, the special Adviser added that government is trying its best to address the problem.
Adding more to that, the Chief press secretary to the governor , Humwashi Wonosikou said aside what ACReSal is being doing, the state government is deliberate towards making sure that the environment is safe.
Humwashi said government has found an alternative source by processing waste and the plant for that purpose is situated at Girei local government , adding that government did not just come up with the policy without working on an alternative.
Responding to the question of efforts made by the government to empower the people, the commissioner of information and strategy, Neido Geoffrey Kofulto explained that the state government has put in place empowerbment programmes such as the Fintiri wallet and other programs, trainings and re-trainings which are aimed at empowering the women and the youth who are engaged in one business or the other.
During the media parley, important questions were raised and meaningful responses were given as well.
Those in attendance included the Chief of staff, Doctor Edgar Emos Sunday who was represented by Special Adviser to the governor Doctor Adamu Babikkoi, the Commissioner of education and strategy Neido Geoffrey Kofulto, the chief press secretary to the governor Humwashi Wonosikou, special Advisers as well as journalists across the state.