The Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Northern Development Authority contesting in the parliamentary primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Walewale constituency has pledged to implement social intervention programmes in the area.
The programmes, according to her, would support the economic growth and development of the people, particularly the youth, women and children.
Hajia Lariba Abudu promised to provide youth-centred development initiatives to tackle the challenges of education and jobs to enhance the living standards of the people.
The former Presiding Member of the East Mamprusi Municipal Assembly described herself as the home-girl and said she is well-informed about the fundamental issues affecting her constituents.
She emphasized that education and job opportunities are very critical to reduce the impoverishment of the people.
“I know the terrain very well and I can testify to what I have done so far for the people. I have been able to get admissions for some of the youth; and jobs for some young girls to prevent them from being Kayayei and also secured loans for women from the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC).”
Hajia Lariba made these remarks to journalists in Walewale after she successfully submitted her nominations form to contest the Deputy Minister for Agriculture and MP for the area, Dr Sagre Banbangi.
This is not the first time the NDA Deputy CEO is contesting the seat, she lost narrowly to the incumbent with seven votes in the last NPP internal contest.
Addressing delegates and a huge crowd of party faithful, Hajia Lariba argued that, there are still more things to be done to meet the development aspirations of the people.
He said if given the nod as Member of Parliament, she will establish an office in the area where the people can always come to register their concerns and challenges affecting the constituency.
She touted her lobbying skills and promised to bring in productive ventures for the people.
When asked what she is coming to do differently, she observed that the development of Walewale is stagnated and therefore indicated the situation requires a challenging person who can connect with stakeholders, ministries and departments to bring the needed development to the people.
She said “with me, I am very connected, very challenging and I know people; may be my lobbying skills is better than his and that is where I have advantage over him.”
She pointed out that the Akufo-Addo–Bawumia led NPP government has achieved so much in the Mamprugu enclave, citing the construction of the Kpasinkpe, Janga, Kparigu roads among other critical infrastructure development in the area.
She added the government also rehabilitated town roads in the Walewale constituency and as a result urged the people to give President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo four more years.
Creation of North East region
The NPP Parliamentary hopeful stated development has been brought closer to doorsteps of the people and maintained that the impact of creating the North East region cannot be underestimated.
She posited everybody in the area will benefit.
Hajia Lariba stated men have over the years, enjoyed the leadership position in the area, and has therefore appealed to the people to vote for a woman now.
“And I have been tried and tested; I was assembly woman for several years, and subsequently became the Presiding Member and a patron of the NPP Women’s wing in Walewale and so many other portfolios” she mentioned.
Meanwhile, the governing NPP closed its nominations for prospective candidates to contest the 169 seats the party is occupying in parliament last Thursday, 20 February, 2020.
The NPP Northern Regional Chief Scribe, Alhaji Sibdow Alhassan Yakubu told THE CUSTODIAN that, about 22 individuals picked nomination forms to contest the 9 constituencies where the party has MPs in the northern region.
However, the Members of Parliament for Savelugu, Mohammed Abdul Somed Gunu; Defense Minister and MP for Bimbila, Dominic Nitiwul and MP for Kpandai, Mathew Nyindam are going unopposed at their respective constituencies.
Other bigwigs of the NPP vying to represent their people are Deputy National Communications Director of the party, Alhaji Kamaldeen Abdulai for Nanton; Farouk Aliu Mahama, son of late Vice President Aliu Mahama will also lock horns with Deputy MASLOC CEO, Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama for the vacant Yendi seat and Mr. Habib Iddrisu of the Free Zones Board for Tolon.