by Austine Tsenzughul Toro, one of the largest local government in Nigeria has a population whose main source of livelihood is agriculture.
WikkiTimes reports that the LGA is still suffering from lack of good roads networks to connect farmers with market opportunities.
Among crops produced in large quantity by farmers using hoes and cutlasses are; groundnuts, rice, corn, sorghum, millet, beans, sweet-potatoes, Irish potatoes and cassava.
Others include water melon, carrots, assorted hot peppers, vegetables, strawberries, fruits and other rear domestic animals and birds.
Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Bauchi state, Senator Bala Mohammed yesterday said the LGA has abundant resources that can grow Nigeria’s economy.
Senator Mohammed made the assertion at Lame district when he paid homage to the traditional ruler in continuation of his campaign tour.
Mohammed, the immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory assured residents that “if I am elected, we will replicate what we did in Abuja, we will harness these resources to develop Toro, Bauchi state and Nigeria”.
The PDP governorship flag bearer during the tour promised to built roads across the seven villages that made up Lame district; “when elected, your roads from Durum, Nahuta, Rauta, Yuga, Gugu Badal, and Takan Dan Giwa will be constructed to open avenues for the abundant natural resources within your area”.
Bala regretted that despite the abundant wealth domiciled in the LGA, its residents were still suffering from poverty; “your pains and tears will soon be wiped away”, he assured.
Our correspondent who moves round with the aspirant’s campaign team reports that most of the villagers were disenchanted with the incumbent administration which they say did not develop the area.
“This government does not know us, though we voted it into office; but as you can see we have no water, health facilities and power supply” a resident who asked not to be named told our reporter.
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WikkiTimes reports that most of the villages visited neither have public schools nor drinking water and other social amenities.
Our correspondent reports on how some villages in the district had to share their sources of water with domestic animals.
The sources of water include ponds, which were mostly seasonal and locally sunk wells which dry-up during the dry season.
Bauchi state is among the least developed states in Nigeria.
Experts believe lack of judicious allocation of resources, poor management and accountability as well as systemic corruption that has become a lifeline for public officials were part of the reasons.
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A recent investigation revealed how pupils in public schools in the state buy basic instructional materials required for teaching and learning, sit on bare floor in ‘super crowded’ class rooms that accommodate between 200 to 300 pupils.
Despite the lack of social amenities in the state, documents obtained by this medium indicate that the state is leading other north eastern states in domestic debts; casting doubts in the minds of people on why it remains backward.
