Caleb Onwe, Abuja
The Chairman-elect for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka, on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday slammed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the continued poverty in most rural communities, despite the huge allocation that accrues the Area Councils from the federation account.
He said that contrary to popular beliefs that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has achieved an appreciable level of economic empowerment, avaliable indices show that many of the rural communities still grapple with abject poverty and excruciating economic hardship.
Zakka said he visited one of such communities during his electioneering campaign tours and was emotionally broken down.
He stated that following this shocking discoveries during the tours, he had concluded plans to dedicate 80 percent of the Council’s budgetary allocation and generated revenue to the development of the rural areas, while 20 percent would go to urban centres, when he is eventually sworn in.
He noted that over the years, budgetary allocation and huge resources were invested into providing infrastructures in urban centres, at the detriment of the rural areas.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari needs to demonstrate his patriotism to the country, by accenting to the amended electoral bill, if really, he wants to leave the legacy of free, fair and credible elections in 2023.