Etsu Nupe and chairman of the Niger state Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has lambasted government for the underdevelopment of the state.
According to him, almost all infrastructure, including roads, have collapsed to the detriment of the people.
The monarch stated this yesterday at his Wadata Palace when he received in audience a new sociopolitical group of indigenous tribes of Niger known as Gbapeko.
Represented by his Wabai (Traditional Chief of Staff ), Mohmud Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe regretted that all the inter- and intrastate roads in Niger were terribly bad, while government was paying lip service to issues of infrastructure development.
He expressed dismay over the neglect of the people by government, adding that “they are only interested in their families while the general public is suffering.
” “All roads linking Niger are bad and there is poverty among the people who are suffering.
The government may play politics but we must develop the state.
” Speaking earlier, the leader of the Gbapeko association, Dr. Theophilus Danjuma Sheshe, said the group was in Bida to commiserate with victims of the recent marker fi re.
Sheshe, the chairman, Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the association, said “most of the indigenous tribes of the state have been relegated to the background and marginalised in both political and economic considerations,” adding: “It is our responsibility to ensure that we contribute to the development of the state.
This is the essence for the renewal of ties among the indigenous tribes.
” He said the association was sad over the burnt traditional market in the ancient city and announced a donation of half a million naira to the victims.
