By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North
Violent attacks by terrorists groups in parts of the North are now causing unexpected socio-economic problems for Bauchi, one of the states in the region considered relatively peaceful and progressive.
Findings by Sunday Vanguard revealed that no fewer than three million persons fleeing from the spate bombings in the neighbouring states in the region, now make their temporary homes in Bauchi, thereby adding to the state’s burden.
It was learnt that the state, credited with a population of 4.6 million residents according to the 2006 population census, is now grappling with how to cater for a surging population of seven million.
Bauchi, which is not an oil-producing state and depends on its agrarian economy and a monthly allocation of between N3 billion and N3.5 billion from the centre, is said to be experiencing serious financial difficulty, as a result of the development.
Governor Isa Yuguda lamented the ugly development in the state in an exclusive interview with Sunday Vanguard last night.
Yuguda, a chartered banker and politician, regretted that his state has had to grapple with a problem it did not create and had drawn the attention of the Federal Government to the burden it was being exposed to as a result of rising security challenges in the North.
Yuguda noted, “We are now struggling to cope with the large number of victims of violence streaming daily into Bauchi and we believe that at a point the Federal Government will come to the aid of the state.
“As a responsive and responsible administration, I have taken steps to provide emergency accommodation and other facilities to provide some form of succor to these displaced persons as part of our contribution to humanity”.
Culled: Vanguard
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