By Joy Omagha Idam, Biu
The Member representing Biu, Bayo, Kwaya Kusar and Shani Federal Constituency, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, has called on the Federal Government to urgently prioritise the construction of the Gombe-Biu Highway, describing the road as critical to the economic and social development of the region.
Betara made the appeal while addressing a mammoth crowd in Biu during the Ascent programme, where he also assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the support of the people of Biu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the people of the area are prepared to deliver the required votes for the President’s re-election, but appealed for immediate attention to the reconstruction of the Gombe-Biu road.
He stressed that the deplorable condition of the highway has continued to affect transportation, trade and movement of people within the region, noting that the project deserves urgent federal intervention.
Speaking further, NAWOJ members who came on a Media tour of his constituency, the lawmaker cautioned journalists and members of the public against using his performance as a benchmark to assess other lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Betara explained that the level of development witnessed in his constituency was largely connected to the strategic positions he had occupied in the House of Representatives over the years.
According to him, “During my first tenure, I served in a sub-committee. In my second tenure, I became Chairman, House Committee on Army. In my third tenure, I served as Chairman, House Committee on Defence, while in my fourth tenure, I was Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, and now Chairman, House Committee on FCT.”
He stated that his tenure as Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation played a major role in attracting numerous projects to his constituency.
“What you are seeing today in Biu is because I once served as Chairman of Appropriation.
The Appropriation Committee is different from other committees. In parliament, after the Speaker, the next powerful position is the Chairman of Appropriation,” he said.
Betara added that any lawmaker who had occupied the position of Chairman of the Appropriation Committee without attracting meaningful projects to his constituency should be held accountable by the people.
“Whoever served as Chairman of Appropriation and you do not see projects in his constituency, then hold him accountable. It means the person is not ready to work,” he added.