By Femi Bolaji, Jalingo

The people of Taraba State will, in a couple of months, head to the polls to elect new leaders.

However, one of the things that would determine their choice of those to represent them would be the track record of those seeking re-election and what new entrants into the political cycle promise to do differently.

Arc.-Darius-Ishaku

For Governor Darius Ishaku, the race to the Government House in 2019 has started and the mantra which his administration since 2015 has be known for ‘The Rescue Mission’ has once again resurfaced as the momentum for the 2019 general elections gets underway.

This was brought to fore when he led top government functionaries on a trip to Donga in Donga local government area to restate his commitment.

This he did by commissioning a substation and a magistrate court fully funded by the state government.

The occasion coincided with the upgrade of an upper area court to a magistrate court in Mararaba in the same LGA.

The magistrate court was constructed by the Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.

Residents of Donga, who said their community had been experiencing epileptic power supply overtime, were excited when Ishaku cut the ribbon for the usage of the substation.

The residents, who rolled out drums of various sizes to express gratitude, noted that the substation would go a long way to address youth restiveness which they believed was due to joblessness.

Some of the residents who spoke with Sunday Vanguard noted that the substation would avail several youths of the community the opportunity of gainfully engaging in trades such as barbing, welding and tailoring among others.

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The Gara Donga, Dr. Danjuma Stephen Bayonga, whose 80th birthday thanksgiving coincided with the occasion, explained that the decision of the governor to prioritise the issue of power and rural electrification was in the best interest of the state.

Bayonga assured that all hands will be on deck to ensure that vandals and miscreants are prevented from accessing the substation.

He however lamented the dilapidation of the Donga-Takum-Wukari Road which, according to him, had put commuters at the mercy of the men of the underworld.

He solicited for the rehabilitation of the Donga-Mararaba and Takum-Wukari roads.

Ishaku told the gathering that Donga was home away from home.

While speaking at the various sites of the projects, he maintained that his administration’s agenda was targeted at rural transformation.

He noted that the urban areas will not have explosive migration of rural dwellers if they enjoy the same benefits as those in the cities.

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This according to him was why the issue of rural transformation was germane to his administration which in turn necessitated the provision of a substation.

He said, “I conceived this idea right from when l was the Minister of Power. This was because power and energy are critical needs of any nation that wants development and advancement of her economy and you shouldn’t be surprised that I am replicating it as a governor”.

On the capacity of the power project, he said, “The 1×7.5MVAx33x11KVA injection substation, which has three feeders, will guarantee 24 hours power supply to the whole of Donga.

“This should also be harnessed by all sundry for the growth and development of our dear state.

“However, we should be ready to pay our bills and that is why it is very important for all to engage in productive ventures using the power output.”

The state Commissioner for Rural Development, Alexander Markus, on his part, noted that the community had been relying on 1MVA transformer which 11 other distribution transformers were connected to.

According to him, “few weeks to the commissioning of this Donga injection substation, the 1MVA transformer in question finally gave up but this substation today has restored power to the entire community.”

On the new court edifice, Ishaku said, “This magistrate court which today adds to the previous ones commissioned by this administration would help to give justice to those in dire need.

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“Residents are enjoined to shun violence when issues requiring legal interpretation arise and resort to the magistrate court for redress”, he added.

Bwacha, who sponsored the renovation and furnishing of an upper area court in Mararaba which was instantly upgraded to a magistrate court by the Chief Justice of Taraba, Josephine Tuktur, said he was only giving back to his constituents.

The senator, who is the Senate deputy minority leader and representing Taraba South, made a case for well-meaning individuals to support government in growing the nation.

“This is my little way of giving back to my constituents for the confidence reposed in me”, he said.

“I will continue to contribute my own quota by giving back to the society for the growth and development of our dear state and nation.

“Government cannot do it alone and this is why elected politicians, non-governmental organizations and well to do individuals should also assist government so that we will not experience collapse of critical infrastructures”.

Chief Judge Tuktur commended Ishaku and Bwacha for their input to further strengthen the state judiciary.