By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Residents and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Zing Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State on Friday commended the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, for what they described as a bold rural infrastructure drive capable of triggering an infrastructural revolution.
They spoke while interacting with journalists during a development assessment visit to the LGA.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that over 20 rural infrastructure projects—including maternity health centres, corps members’ lodges, boreholes, school structures, and bridges across communities in the local government—have been executed by the Speaker.
The newspaper further reports that Hon. Bonzena has facilitated employment opportunities for over 200 indigenes of the LGA, installed 350kVA transformers in several communities, and sponsored more than 1,000 youths in education and skills acquisition programmes aimed at improving human capital and boosting the local economy.
The Kpanti Lonyuon, HRH Bitrus Adamu Sajo, alongside the Head of Lamma Community, Alhaji Usman Tanko, said the construction of the Saliti Bridge in Dingding, Lamma Bridge in Lamma, and Tavingwa Bridge in Monkin has significantly eased the transportation of farm produce from rural communities to Zing town.
According to them, the projects have liberated the people from long-standing infrastructural challenges that hindered economic growth, as traders previously found it difficult to access the communities.
Speaking separately, Mr. Jubri Abdullahi, a serving corps member from Katsina State, and Miss Halilu Taibat from Niger State praised the Speaker for prioritising the welfare and comfort of corps members in the area.
Our correspondent reports that Hon. Bonzena has constructed and completed world-class corps lodges in Zing town, Bitako, and Yakoko, each accommodating over 100 corps members and equipped with 24-hour security and steady water supply.
At the Tunapo Maternity Health Centre, residents appealed for the deployment of additional health workers to reduce pressure on the existing staff. Similarly, residents of Dingding Community appealed for the provision of computer sets for the newly built world-class examination hall.
Mr Dimas Voviko and Dasuela Ezekiel said, “We sincerely appreciate Hon. Bonzena for building this maternity centre in Tunapo Community. Our major challenge now is the shortage of health workers, as more than five neighbouring communities also access healthcare here. We appeal for the deployment of more health workers and improved equipment for the facility.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Zing LGA, Hon. Justin A. Yarip, and Mr. Odoji Teyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) jointly lauded the Speaker’s infrastructural focus.
They described the initiatives as a development revolution and urged residents to support his re-election in 2027.
While commending Hon. Bonzena’s achievements, the residents also appealed for the Dingding examination hall to be equipped with modern computers, noting that candidates from at least five neighbouring communities rely on the facility for CBT examinations.
The Chairman of Zing Local Government Council, Hon. Davoro Titus, prayed for divine blessings upon the Speaker for his developmental interventions in the area.
Responding, Hon. John Kizito Bonzena said his infrastructural interventions in Zing Constituency were driven by his commitment to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people.
He pledged to continue working closely with Governor Agbu Kefas to ensure the transformation of the local government in line with the aspirations of its people.
