Constituency Projects: Between Betara and Political Detractors in Borno

Constituency Projects: Between Betara and Political Detractors in Borno

By: James Bwala, Maiduguri

For those who had not visited Biu local government area of Borno state in northeast Nigeria, the story making the rounds about how Biu is fast changing from an ancient city to modern civilization may look like the old folk tale being told under the moonlight. However, facts as it were, Biu in Borno state has become a light on the hills.

This could not have been possible without determination and commitments by the people’s representative at the Nation’s Green Chambers where decisions are being taken on behalf of the people. Each member representing the people at the Green Chamber is supposed to have what is called a constituency allowance. These amounts by constitution were not made available for the member to pocket and eat fat but to work on the needs of his/her constituency as a good ambassador of the people.

However, looking at the representatives across the 36 states of the Nigerian Federation, only few ambassadors are living to the oaths they have taken on behalf of the people to bring back good tidings. Honourable Betara Aliyu, who is representing Bayo, Shani, Kwaya Kusar and Biu Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber, is one of those being celebrated by the people.

NEWSng in its recent examination beamed its searchlight on the activities of Honourable Betara Aliyu, amidst tight arguments and political barrel of criticism meant to distract him and obtain the following reports.

“There are moves by political gladiators against Betara Aliyu. They have been engaging in all sorts of mechanisms to see that they derailed him from fulfilling the mandate of the people who believed and trusted him as their representative in the last decade. A report emerged recently, which is making frantic approaches to men on the streets in the quest of those feeding them to peddle rumors about the activities of Mr. Betara Aliyu.

“Regarding his activities and against their clamouring I make bold to say that these dealers, traders, suppliers, brokers, importers, exporters and sellers of distraction have attacked, criticized, confronted, condemned, accused and portray Betara Aliyu in the light unkind in the last decade to whip sentiment and put him at dagger drawn with the people who are hitherto singing his praises. But incessantly the people understood the politics. They stick to Betara because of the value of productivity they have seen in him. They have been wise politically and have concluded on those peddlers of unkind political arrangement against the man. They know that each move was rather not against him but against the constituency he is representing. They are emphasizing political underdogs whose skin repels development. So, we understand their positions and are not worried about their clamour.” Sidi Hamza, a stakeholder in Biu told NEWSng.    

One of the foot soldiers of such confronters have circulated a report with the aim of selling a sentimental view. He said the projects being carried out in Biu and other constituencies by Mr. Betara are Federal Government’s interventions for Bayo/Shani/Kwaya kusar/Biu Federal Constituency. He went further to breakdown amounts of money received for the projects from 2019 to 2021 amounting to over N1.3 Billion quoting his Source: as the Budget Office and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offense Commission.

While his attempts were moves to dust down ovations for Betara Aliyu, It further makes way for endorsement for Betara against the 2023 owing to facts on ground representing his ability to lobby for his constituency and commitment to ensuring that his representation was felt by the people he is representing in the National Assembly.

Timothy Adekunle, a political analysts and social media handler told this medium that, “A note was passed to me the other day, I knew it was mischievously walked to me to disprove some of the stories I have heard of the zeal and developmental strides Betara Aliyu was putting in place to make his constituency a better place. 

“It was Betara that did this and that”. The common man on the street of Biu would say. This however, was enough to take away good sleep from those who are feeling very uncomfortable with such messages coming from the streets across Biu and other local governments where this representative is coming from. For them, Betara was taking credit for things he was not doing with his own money.

“This makes me laugh over and over whenever such suggestions come up. And funnily, I received such almost on a daily basis. But I am one character that did not rush into putting paper and pen to write about anything I have no proof of. At one point someone approached me to say that as a Professional I should write about Betara Aliyu and the projects in Biu. That I should let the people know that it was not his money as such he should not be taking credits for something that is supposed to be meant for everybody. All the projects are federal government projects and what not.

“I know that 2023 is coming and such pressure from politicians will keep coming against occupant of political positions. While it is in their rights to speak and say whatever deem fit for the occasion, I feel it is equally journalistic to educate them and help them do away with some of the claims they have continued to make at every given occasion yet it did not paid off as Betara Aliyu continued to clinch to his seat winning every political battle owing to his political goodwill, strategic representation and ability to lobby well and bring development to his constituency.”

NEWSng reports that, in the last thirteen years, many citizens of southern Borno have been benefitting from a silent revolution taking place in their areas courtesy of one man – Honourable Betara Aliyu. 

Andrew Peter Balami, who spoke to NEWSng said, “As a keen watcher in this revolution, I have seen a lot of developments and achievements of Hon. Betara Aliyu. He is a good and rare kind of person and I think his people are lucky to have him as their representative.  Mr. Betara Aliyu seldom speaks about his achievements since he was elected as member house of representative for Biu, Kwaya-kusar, Bayo and Shanu federal constituency.

“From bringing water to the communities to upgrading communities with road networks Betara Aliyu has continued to touch the lives of the people of his constituency through direct support by giving them the dividends of democracy in many areas to cushion their desire and need for livelihoods.” He said

Another commentator said, “Today, many people from the communities he is representing have come to appreciate his long standing achievements as they continued to pour encomium on him for a deserving turnaround of their communities through his silent revolution.”

Idrisa Shuibu explained that, “In the last 13 years of Hon. Betara Aliyu youths unemployment have reduced by an appreciable percentage as over 500 Keke Napep were distributed to youths who are currently getting their livelihoods from this gesture. Over 2000 farmers have been upgraded to technologically farming schemes and are doing well with new and improved farming methods through the use of better farming implements and improved seeds for better yield.

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“On businesses and petty trading, over 1000 people from each local government he is representing at the green chambers totaling over 4000 individuals who have benefitted from either grinding machine, pasta making machine and sewing machine distribution from the communities across the constituency. So far, records have shown that, scholarship has been given to more than 3,000 youths both male and female who are schooling in different parts of the county through the Betara Aliyu initiative and support for youths from his constituency.

“The Betara Aliyu silent revolution on the health of the people of his constituency is speaking in volumes with a record of over 17, 000 people who accessed better healthcare services both within and outside the country as beneficiaries of his constituency project. Also hundreds of youths have enjoyed soft skills training through the Betarw Aliyu constituency projects and are doing well in welding, carpentry, brick laying and other skilled jobs.

“The number of graduates enjoying both state and federal employment has continued to pile up courtesy of Betara Aliyu lobbying skills in the green chamber with records of youths employment in the Army, Nigerian Immigration, Custom service, Police and many others, who are beneficiaries of the 13 years of the Betara Aliyu representation at the green chamber.

“His silent revolution has continued to speak in a way that put him in a vintage position as representative of the people. One of his contributions which cannot be forgotten in a thousand years to come is the effort and skills he put into ensuring that the Nigerian Army University comes to stay within his domain of representation. If history is being recalled and names begin to appear of those who contributed to this greater call, the name Betara Aliyu will certainly be listed in the roll call for greater achievers in southern Borno.”

Alhaji Madu Digira said, ” While they are busy saying all kinds of negative things against this representative, I wonder why they are not talking about those who virtually have been forgotten by their constituencies. Look at the neighbouring Hawul and Askira federal constituency of southern Borno, Look at Chibok, Damboa and Gwoza federal Constituency. If you go to northern Borno, what is happening there? The representatives from the central part of the state, what have they been doing to transform their areas? Of course some of them will continue to blame the insurgency for as long as they remain in the Green Chamber. 

“Whenever they come around, it is from the same constituency project money that they give some piece mill to the electorate and they are celebrated with fanfare. There were no constituency Projects to show for because Boko Haram are always there to be blamed. This situation is a sorry situation. I pity those who are saying that Hon. Betara Aliyu is not doing the needful because I did not see anything more needful than what is presently happening across his constituency.” He said

Constituency Projects: Between Betara and Political Detractors in Borno