Bomba Dauda
The Chairman of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Engr. Bege Joseph Gaiya, has been described as a performer committed to peace, accountability and sustainable development amid controversy surrounding the damaged bridge in Zango Urban.
Ezekiel Daniel Yashim, Convener of Democracy and Action, who signed a statement defending the chairman, described attempts to portray Bege as an enemy of development as unfortunate and misleading, alleging that the controversy was being politicised to discredit his administration.
Yashim maintained that the chairman’s decision to seek clarification over the reported intervention was a demonstration of administrative responsibility rather than opposition to community development.
According to the statement, Hon. Gideon Jock had clarified that he did not undertake any road or bridge construction project but donated ₦1 million towards community efforts to address erosion damage.
It argued that Bege was justified in seeking clarification about the nature of the proposed intervention, the engineers involved and the necessary approvals from the Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA).
“Bege is not opposed to development; he believes development must be properly coordinated and sustainable,” the statement said.
It added that public infrastructure projects must comply with relevant procedures and safety requirements to ensure that interventions achieve their intended objectives without compromising public safety.
The statement further disclosed that the chairman had indicated that the road was captured in the Kaduna State Government’s rural road transformation plan, while water provision and school-related projects had also been earmarked for the area.
It said these commitments demonstrated that the development needs of Zango Urban had not been neglected, urging residents to assess the chairman’s performance based on verifiable achievements rather than political narratives surrounding the bridge controversy.
Describing Bege as a peace-loving leader, Yashim said his commitment to dialogue, unity and peaceful coexistence should not be mistaken for a willingness to abandon administrative responsibilities.
He maintained that the chairman’s insistence on accountability and due process should not be interpreted as political persecution or hostility towards individuals seeking to contribute to community development.
“Development must be above party politics,” the statement stressed, adding that the chairman had a responsibility to serve all residents of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area without discrimination based on political affiliation.
Yashim called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the damaged bridge receives the necessary attention, emphasising that the safety and welfare of residents should take precedence over political interests.
He urged political actors and community leaders to avoid actions capable of inflaming tensions, insisting that cooperation and constructive engagement remained essential to addressing the infrastructure challenges facing the area.
The statement concluded that Bege should be judged by his integrity, performance, fairness and commitment to peace rather than allegations intended to undermine his leadership.
It called for responsible leadership and genuine development in Zangon Kataf, urging stakeholders to allow facts to prevail and ensure that development initiatives unite rather than divide the people.
