Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Dr. Fred Okem is pushing for the creation of the Yala Urban Development Authority (YUDA), to transform the area's socio-economic landscape.
He made this passionate appeal to Governor Otu, when he spoke to Journalists shortly after day one of the inauguration of the Local Task Group on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene,(LTG-WASH) held at the Council's headquarters, Okpoma.
The Chairman emphasized that the new establishment would cater to urban beautification, green area development, improve on WASH as well as attend to other critical infrastructural development of the Area.
The proposed Yala Urban Development Authority according to Dr. Okem would focus on enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the area, creating green spaces, and ensuring access to essential services like clean water and sanitation.
This initiative he believes would significantly impact the lives of Yala residents, improving their quality of life and contributing to the area's economic growth and job creations for the teaming Youths in the 14 political wards of the Area.
In his words, "the creation of the Yala Urban Development Authority will not only provide the function of sanitation but will also create employment for our teeming youths.
"The appointment of the Executive Secretary, alongside other sub-directors, will empower our young people and improve local governance," he explained .
Dr Okem listed inadequate water supply, poor road networks, and security as some of the challenges confronting him and emphasized the urgent need for infrastructural development, particularly in providing access roads for farmers to transport their produce to markets.
"Our road network is so bad. We need to develop our roads to give access to our people, especially our farmers, to enable them to evacuate their farm produce to the market," Dr Okem explained.
While thanking Governor Otu for leading a government with a human face coupled with significant and evidential infrastructural development dotted across the State, the Yala Council Chairman lamented the vandalism of local government properties by hoodlums due to lack of perimeter fence around government facilities which his administration cannot execute due to paucity of funds and expressed hope that when properly funded, the council will wear a new look.
The creation of the Yala Urban Development Authority if considered, would be a significant step towards unlocking positioning Yala as a hub for economic growth and social progress.
By: Nakanda Iyadim
