By Abubakar Muhammad Adamu
The Adamawa State House of Assembly Standing Committee Chairman on Information and SDGs, Hon. Musa Mahmud Kallamu, has clarified that the ongoing developmental projects linked to lawmakers across the state are government developmental projects initiated through submissions and lobbying by members of the House.
Kallamu, who is the member representing Mayo-Belwa Constituency, said the projects are not constituency projects funded directly through the budget of the House of Assembly, but are captured under the Executive arm of government.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Yola, the lawmaker explained that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri gave members of the Assembly the opportunity to identify pressing developmental needs in their constituencies and submit them to relevant ministries for consideration and implementation.
According to him, the projects are reflected in the Adamawa State Budget Estimates under relevant ministries and subheads, with the names of the respective constituencies and lawmakers attached to them.
Kallamu made the clarification against the backdrop of claims circulating on social media linking some of the projects to the AGILE programme.
He said while AGILE may have its own projects, those being implemented based on lawmakers’ submissions are separate government interventions.
“My major priority is education,” Kallamu said, explaining that he submitted several educational projects after identifying critical infrastructure needs in Mayo-Belwa Constituency.
Among the projects he mentioned are interventions at Government Secondary School, Mayo-Belwa, where a windstorm reportedly damaged the examination hall last year, as well as projects at Government Day Secondary School, Mayo-Belwa, Batare in Yoffo Ward and Kugama in Gengle Ward of the constituency.
Kallamu also clarified the situation surrounding the ongoing construction of three blocks of classrooms at Government Girls Secondary School, Mayo-Belwa.
He explained that the project was originally meant for Government Day Secondary School, Mayo-Belwa, but was moved by the contractor to Government Girls Secondary School.
Despite the change in location, Kallamu expressed satisfaction with the development, noting that both schools are located within Mayo-Belwa Constituency and that the project would still benefit the people of the constituency.
Hon Musa Kallamu said the damaged and incomplete facilities constituted pressing needs that required government intervention and were therefore included among his submissions.
The lawmaker also praised the working relationship between the Adamawa State Executive and Legislature, describing cooperation and lobbying as more effective in delivering development to constituents than confrontation.
“It is better you lobby than to fight,” he said, arguing that lawmakers could achieve more for their constituents by working with the Executive.
The third-term lawmaker further appealed to politicians and political candidates in the state to conduct their activities peacefully as the 2027 elections approach.
He urged politicians to reject violence and rancour, stressing that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair.