By Daniel Tyokua
The Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Kashim Mohammed, has identified security, infrastructure, and healthcare as key priorities of his administration.
Mohammed, who was sworn in on Monday, made the declaration during the inauguration of the 10 newly elected councillors of the council, on Tuesday.
He pledged to tackle the council’s unprecedented debt burden while prioritising peace, youth empowerment, and sustainable development in the next four years.
The chairman administered the oath of office to the councillors at the Gwagwalada Area Council Secretariat before addressing residents and stakeholders.
He said they assumed office with profound gratitude to Almighty God and expressed appreciation to residents for the confidence reposed in him and his Vice Chairman, Hon. Halidu Chashe.
“This victory is not mine alone. It belongs to all those who believe that Gwagwalada can become better than what it is today,” he said.
Mohammed disclosed that his administration inherited what he described as the highest debt profile in the council’s history from the outgoing administration.
He said,”However, let me be clear: we will not use this challenge as an excuse for failure. We will not spend the next four years complaining. We will spend the next four years working,”
Mohammed explained that government would cut waste, improve revenue generation, seek strategic partnerships, attract investments, and ensure that public funds are used prudently for the benefit of residents.
According to him, revenue collection systems will be strengthened to eliminate leakages, noting that the council can no longer depend solely on statutory allocations.
Mohammed said his administration would be guided by a seven-point agenda aimed at promoting peace, progress, and prosperity across the area council.
On security, he announced plans to institutionalise monthly Peace and Security Committee meetings to identify and address threats proactively.
He also pledged support for community-based security structures and vigilante groups to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.
In the area of infrastructure, the chairman noted that many rural roads become impassable during the rainy season, cutting off communities from markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.
He said his administration would prioritise the construction and rehabilitation of critical roads, pursue Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and revisit abandoned projects, including the Gwagwalada Town Hall, with a view to completing them.
On healthcare, Mohammed promised to rehabilitate dilapidated primary healthcare centres and collaborate with federal agencies, international organisations, and private healthcare providers to improve service delivery.
Speaking on agriculture, he observed that thousands of residents depend on farming but are constrained by rising input costs and poor access roads. He said the council would engage relevant agencies and investors to attract grants, improved seedlings, fertilisers, and modern farming equipment.
For youth development and education, the chairman announced plans to introduce a scholarship scheme for outstanding indigenous students pursuing critical disciplines such as Medicine, Nursing, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Agricultural Technology.
He also promised vocational training programmes in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), tailoring, welding, electrical installation, and other trades, alongside support for small business start-ups.
Mohammed further pledged to rehabilitate public primary schools, revive the Chairman’s Cup football competition, and sustain regular engagement with religious and traditional institutions.
