The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, has disclosed that a total of N34 billion has been set aside by the federal government for the development of rural roads, with additional N17 billion added to it, under the sustainability planning.
Agba explained further that the above figures added with the N8 billion from the 2021 budget for rural development, brings the total to N59 billion.
The minister, made the disclosure in Benin City, Edo Stare, at the 7th Biennial Retreat 2021, organised in his honour by the Weppa Wanno Pyramid Club of Nigeria, with the theme:” Security Challenges In Our Communities: The Way Forward.”
He noted that, community development is a primary responsibility of the sub-national government, and not the federal government alone.
According to him, “Community development is a primary responsibility of the sub-national government, not the federal government. But, the federal government is doing a lot. “
He stressed that with the N34 billion earmarked for rural roads, in addition to N17 billion under the substainability planning, and another N8 billion for the 2021, budget for rural development, the federal governor was set to doing more work for a responsibility meant for the sub-national governments.
On how he feels, received an award from the group, Agba said: “As a normal human being, I feel happy, good, encouraged and elated because it means; what I am doing is on the right path.”
He added: “They are trying to motivate me to continue the good work. Although, one does not look forward to getting award for doing what is right, however, I just believe in doing the right thing.”
Commenting on the theme of the event entitled:” Security Challenges In Our Communities: The Way Forward,” the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Kennedy Izuagbe, asserted that the police and other security agencies should be equipped with the modern security gadgets to combat crimes in rural areas, especially in Afeamai land.
Izuagbe said: “What we need to do to fight crimes is to ensure we give the police, vigilantes, and other security agencies vehicles, arms Communication gadgets and all they needed to be effective in crime fighting.
He said, “Because if they are well equipped, mobilize and motivated, they will do well. I also believe that, if our vigilantes come together, they should be able to form a formidable network to prevent further increased of insecurity in Afeamai land,”
In an address of welcome given by the President of the club, Dr. Austine Aipoh, he said the pyramid retreat came into being in 2008, with a resolution that, it shall hold Biennially with venue rotating between the chapters to brainstorm on modern issues, development of Weppa and Uwanno clans.
Aipoh added that, it will also lead to the advancement of members welfare and economic development to come up with a blueprint on the way forward, as well as to foster bonding amongst members.
“The main theme of this year’s retreat, which is security challenges in our communities: the way forward is very apt and germane at this era in the history of our country, where virtually all states are faced with one security challenge or the other,” Aipoh stated.
