By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
A former lawmaker who represented Ibi/Wukari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi (Danji SS), has blamed the Taraba State Government for the persistent fire incidents in the state.
Shiddi, in an open letter to Governor Agbu Kefas following a night fire that destroyed St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Wukari, said the lack of firefighting equipment to avert fire-related incidents in the state reflects a failure on the part of the government to protect the property of citizens.
“How many more would burn again?” Shiddi asked.
“The persistent fire incidents being witnessed in the state are acts of negligence by the government for not providing basic emergency infrastructure to avert such situations.
“The lack of functional firefighting equipment is a failure on the part of the government’s responsibility to protect lives and public heritage,” he said.
The former lawmaker also criticised the flyover project recently flagged off in Wukari.
“This is barely two months after fire razed the Wukari Local Government Secretariat. The recurrence of such incidents demands an urgent need for government to invest in safety infrastructure rather than symbolic projects.
“Prioritising large-scale infrastructure amidst unresolved safety and economic concerns is misplaced priority. The business owners affected by the proposed flyover remain uncertain about compensation, and the project timeline has created economic anxiety and disruption.
“I urge the governor to focus on tangible, people-centred development. He should consider governance beyond ceremonial projects and focus on the desires of the citizens,” Shiddi added.
