Idris Ahmed, Karu.
Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa state is one of the fastest developing local governments in the North Central geo-political zone.
For the past one and a half years, the local government council led by Hon. Samuel Akala Gajere recorded tremendous and unprecedented growth and development, powered by a sense of purpose and direction with a vision to transform the rural areas into urban centres.
Residents of Karu LGA are now enjoying same what obtains in the towns and cities.
To achieve this feat the visionary Council Chairman, Akala launched sound economic policies that raised the economy of the council. The Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was technically pursued to augment the the monthly allocation from the federation account.
The Council through the passage of the Bye law number 17, digitilized and centralized the Council’s tax administration. This has helped in no small measure raise the revenue base of the council.
With its nearness to the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja, security challenges became rampant as persons with dubious characters saw the area as hideout and base for criminal activities, the Council holds monthly expanded security council meetings so as to prepare and always be ahead of the criminals. This has helped in minimising criminal activities and has as well instill confidence in the residences, investors and business community in general.
Infrastructural Development was deficient and became a source of worry to both indigens and visitors who had already developed interest in the local government to settle and do legitimate businesses.
The council therefore acquired and renovated the local government guest house in New Nyanya for the comfort of visiting special guests to the local government.
With the fast expansion of the area due to influx of persons, link roads have to be graded like the Tuturu-Capital Gateway road and the 1 km asphalt Ado – Kugbaru road which has been completed.
As part of the infrastructural development, the council reconstructed and upgraded Karu Local Government Council Legislative Chamber as well as the Chairman’s block and the local government Secretariat Complex which are all 100%
As for the rural water Intervention Projects, the Council drilled fifteen (15) boreholes across 11 electoral wards, with one motorized borehole of about 10,000 litres capacity situated in Maraba.
Despite the efforts of the Universal Basic Education Board in the provision of amenities to schools, Karu local government also assisted the schools in its Educational Intervention Projects. Seven hundred (700) wooden desk have been procured and would soon be distributed across schools.
Other efforts by the local government include reconstruction of Gitata Primary School,
renovation and upgrading of Pilot Primary Schools at Masaka, Saka, Uke and Takalafia.
Also renovated and upgraded are Koso Primary School in Panda Development Area. as well as Maraba Gurku Primary School.
Within the short period, despite the meagre resources Karu local government was able to intervene in the Primary Health Care projects such as fencing and renovation of ALGON Clinic Karu, and the Primary Health Care clinic at Nyanya Gwandara.
Tudu Uku Primary Health Care Clinics in Gitata, Uke and Gurku were reconstructed and upgraded during the period under review.
In a human development, Akala empowered youths and other humanitarian gestures across the council area.
Akala who is youthful and resourceful, has exceeded all expectations in Karu, having accomplished so much with so little, can now confidently say Karu is in the hands of God and safe under the watch of a true progressive, Hon Samuel Akala Gajere.
