The Adamawa House of Assembly is considering creating new local council development areas in Shelleng and other local government areas.

Abubakar Isa, a member representing the Shelleng constituency, brought the motion before the parliament on Monday.

Mr Isa said the concept of development areas would bring government closer to the people for grassroots development, promotion of unity, and loyalty and give every citizen a sense of belonging.

According to him, Adamawa has 50 development areas, with local government areas such as Shelleng, Yola North and Yola South having the lowest: one each. Local councils such as Fufore, Michika, and Mayo Belwa had the highest of five, four, and four, respectively.

He said his constituency was created in 1991 with a population of about 200,000 people, bordering Shani in Borno to the north, Guyuk local government of Adamawa to the west, Numan, Demsa, Lamurde to the south, Gombi and Song to the east.

Mr Isa explained that Shelleng has only one LCDA despite its diversity and urged the parliament to pass resolutions to amend the Local Government Establishment Law to create additional development LCDAs in Shelleng and other local government areas to give equal opportunities to people.

Abdullahi Yapak, a member representing the Verre constituency, commended the sponsor, noting that Fufore was one of the largest councils with seven districts and urged the house to consider creating new LCDAs.

The member representing Song Constituency, Simon Isa, urged other legislators to allow communities needing additional LCDAs to formally forward their requests to the assembly.

The member representing the Guyuk constituency, Adwawa Donglock, applauded the motion, saying the creation of additional LCDAs is timely. He said Guyuk was in dire need of additional LCDAs.

Mr Donglock pleaded with the parliament to consider the Bobini community when creating new LCDAs.

The member representing the Hong constituency, Bathiya Wesley, said additional LCDAs would bring the government closer to the people. He also called on his colleagues to consider Hong for the exercise.

Other members, including Shuaibu Babas of Fufore Gurin, Myandassa Bauna of Lamurde and Kate Raymond of Demsa, pleaded with the assembly to consider their LGAs.

Pwawmakeino Mackondo, Deputy Speaker, who presided over the seating, directed the clerk to take necessary steps for the parliament’s leadership to consider the motion further. 

(NAN)