BY NDAHI MARAMA

Given the well-reported insecurity in the State that is otherwise known as the Home of Peace, Governor Kashim Shettima’s first hundred days could not have been anything but challenging.

Besides the Boko Haram inspired security scare, the Governor is also struggling to set his electoral victory on firm footing in the courts. His quest in the latter direction is, however, ensnared by the spate of insecurity as members of the electoral panel have refused to sit in the state to hear the petition filed by the Congress for Progressive Party, CPC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidates.

Governor Shettima had in his inaugural speech promised the people of the state that his administration would in his first 100 days in office tackle the spate of insecurity that preceded his advent, but unfortunately, the security situation was then taken to another dimension as most of the citizens of the state ran out. Nigerians from other states trooped out of the State on account of the brazen killings in the State.

Another promise from Kashim was that his administration will drill about 100 boreholes across the 27 local government areas, but investigation shows that after 100 days in office that the ANPP-led administration may not have achieved up to 50% of the intended objective.

Remarkably, the state government has deemed it necessary to spend much of its resources to curtail the security lapses experienced in the past two years.

Although, there are some achievements made in the area of youth empowerment, particularly with the purchase and distribution of 500, 000 tricycles (KEKE NAPEP) following the outright ban of motorcycle operations in Maiduguri Metropolis. The administration has also in the period under review equipped and opened the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri which had been closed down for 3 years. It has also opened a number of General Hospitals in Askira –Uba, Bayo, Chibok, Kala-Balge.

There is, however, no doubt that the administration in the state is yet to match its electoral promises with action especially in the provision of social infrastructure.

It, however, stands to reason that the security challenges that have overwhelmed the administration may be an alibi for the perceived failures. The populace may understand at least for now.