By Sani Sule, Jalingo
The chairman of the Bali Local Government Council, Hon. Habila Bala Balasa has reaffirmed his commitment to providing infrastructure and empowerment to the people of the area in line with Governor Agbu Kefas’ transformation policy.
Balasa, who disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists, stated that as he was elected by his people, he would do his best to serve them.
As Governor Kefas recently released N100m to each of the 16 local council chairmen, the chairman assured that he is going to deliver quality projects for the people of Bali.
He highlighted some projects that would be executed with the funds, including the construction of (3) roads and (3) Culverts, as well as the renovation of (3) Primary Schools, among others.
Ahead of the hundred days in office, which is coming up in less than two weeks, Hon. Habila Bala Balasa revealed that he has executed some projects that would be commissioned on the day of the anniversary.
According to him, in less than one year in office, the council has printed a security document worth millions of naira, among other projects, pointing out that all were executed with the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the local government, which he described as a prudent management of funds.
“I denied myself a lot of things just to deliver. I didn’t know the government would come to our aid, so I didn’t wait for the government. We translated what we were getting for people to benefit from the dividends of democracy. That is what we are doing. It’s not a magic but a prudent management,” he reiterated.
Hon. Balasa advised his colleagues to cut some unnecessary expenses and concentrate on governance, saying that it would help them to enable them to deliver to the populace.
He, however, described the Bali Local Government as peaceful, adding that he holds a security meeting with the security chiefs in the local government and traditional leaders aimed at emphasising the need for peaceful coexistence, meanwhile, we are grateful to God.
“We have been talking to the traditional leaders periodically that when we see something, we should say something. We want our people to sleep with their two eyes closed,” Balasa emphasised.
Additionally, for the youth to have a sense of belonging in governance, the Chairman disclosed that the council had absorbed some of them, who are desirous and willing to work, into the civil service to replace the deceased ones.
Commenting on the ongoing payment of pension and gratuity to the retirees in the state, Hon. Habila Bala Balasa applauded Governor Agbu Kefas for looking at the plight of the senior citizen, which he said he is also a beneficiary.
He noted that the money would help retirees as they age to settle their medical expenses and other needs.