Gateway Christian Centre donates solar street light to abate increasing crime in Gombe community
Following criminal activities around Tumfure axis, a church has illuminated Shongo Hama in Garko ward, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Speaking on Friday during the commissioning of 11 poles of solar lightning, Senior Pastor of the Gateway Christian Centre, Rev. Hyeladi Mshelia said the church has been involved in alleviating the sufferings of the people in the last 10 years.
Mshelia revealed that the solar street light would abate the level of crime perpetrated within the area, stressing that the goal was to impact the community.
According to him, “This year is our 10th anniversary as a church, and we thought of what to do especially to the community that has hosted us in the past years. We came about something that will be of benefit to everybody basically we have been having challenges with armed robbery in the houses and individuals walking around their phones, laptops snatched.
“What we did is not much, but we were able to locate dark spots and we thought it could help. These are the same routes our members use sometimes pass at night, it will be of use to them and other members of the society.”
Mshelia while commending the Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya for inaugurating the project, he explained that it was due to attempts to secure permission to site the solar street light that had attracted their attention.
“Of course, we don’t get to see them every day, those who are members of the church and those who are not have gathered to see them. It is a great blessing and we are very encouraged to do better with their coming.
“We have been involved in medical outreaches in Tula, Herwagana, Nayinawa, this is part of the gospel, giving is part of us not because you have,” Mshelia added.
Governor Yahaya, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Ibrahim Njodi lauded the partnership between the church, government and community.
Yahaya said, “This is a very timely intervention, it is very good that they have drawn the attention of government. Partnership with the church is not a new thing, we gave them the permission to site the church where it is today and we have been relating with them.
“Like you have them say, they have concerns of some robbery, because of that while government was thinking of what to do, they came up with the idea of in their little way start something towards improving security. By illuminating the environment to deter hoodlums who hide behind the issue of darkness to attack innocent people, it is an excellent thing because it will not only benefit members of the church by humanity also.”
He urged other groups to emulate such services to humanity, stressing that with this the society would gain alot.
“Anyone passing this way Muslims, Christians will benefit from what they are doing here, there can not be one solar for Christians and another for Muslims. We appreciate and government will be willing to partner with them as we are doing with other entities,” Yahaya added.
Also Speaking, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Inuwa Kari commended the church for inviting them to be part of the commissioning.
He noted that this was the first of it kind in the state, “I want to encourage other religious organisations to take a queue from what you have done, as servants of God the bottom line is service to humanity,” Kari said.