Tatale appeals for separate district

March 28
THE chiefs and people of Tatale in the Zabzugu/Tatale District in the Northern Region have appealed for the creation of a separate district to accelerate the development of the area which is one of the most deprived in the region.
They contended that not only was the traditional area vast, but that its elevation to a district would also facilitate the decentralisation process, leading to the fair distribution of resources to improve on the fortunes of the people.
The Paramount Chief of the Area, Obore Yankosor Gariba II, made the appeal at a durbar of chiefs and elders at Tatale.
It was witnessed by the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, and other distinguished personalities.
‘‘We are very peaceful people, who are ready to co-operate and dialogue with the government and development partners to support our worthy course in being elevated to a district status,’’ he stated.
The chief further disclosed that his outfit had already made available over 80 acres of land for the construction of offices and staff accommodation for the new district if their request was granted. However, ‘‘temporary offices and staff accommodation will be provided free of charge if approval is given for the creation of the district.’’
The regional minister assured the chief that his plea would be forwarded to the President for consideration. Alhaji Idris commended the people for their ‘‘ability to co-exist as one people despite having different ethnic groupings.’’
He entreated the chiefs to continue to champion the course of development in their respective communities.
‘‘You should give your maximum support to the assembly and their partners in their development agenda so that the living conditions of our people would continue to improve for the better,’’ Alhaji Idris stressed.
He further appealed to the chiefs to re-kindle the spirit of communal exercise, which he noted, was dying in some communities.
‘‘Many a donor and non-governmental organisations demand the contribution of beneficiary communities for assistance given; we need to help ourselves to be helped,’’ the regional minister reminded the people.
He also urged them to sensitise the people against indiscriminate bush burning since it had a devastating consequences on life and property.
‘‘I pray that you would also lead the crusade to implore our people to invest in the education of their children, especially with the implementation of the government’s favourable policies on education, such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme,’ Alhaji Idris added.