3,000 APPOINTMENTS, 24 TRANSFORMERS: COMR. TEELIGI ASSERTS THAT DR THOMAS BARIERE HAS EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

Comrade Ledornubari Barry Teeligi , Special Adviser on News and Propaganda Monitoring to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Chief Dr. Thomas Bariere, has defended the administration’s record, citing thousands of political appointments, transformer installations, solar streetlights and investments in education and skills acquisition.

Teeligi made the claims during an appearance on Ogoni Rant Live, hosted by Kue Barinor Paul Esq., where he outlined what he described as key achievements of the administration and disclosed plans for a proposed microfinance bank and event centre in Bori.

He said the council had made more than 3,000 political appointments, with beneficiaries receiving monthly payments, while community youth presidents, paramount rulers and Community Development Committee (CDC) chairmen also receive stipends.

According to him, the appointments and stipends are intended to extend the benefits of governance to the grassroots and provide financial support to community leaders.

On electricity supply, Teeligi said the administration had procured and installed 24 transformers, each rated at 500 kVA, under its Operation Light Up Khana initiative.

He also claimed that solar streetlights had been installed in between 170 and 180 communities out of approximately 200 communities in the local government area.

Teeligi identified the extension of electricity infrastructure to additional communities, particularly in Nyokhana, as a priority. He said work was ongoing in Taabaa, the traditional headquarters of Nyokhana, with the administration hoping to provide streetlighting before the end of 2026.

He urged residents and community organisations to complement the council’s efforts by supporting connections from installed transformers to individual homes.

Teeligi listed school infrastructure among the administration’s reported interventions, citing administrative blocks, assembly halls, principal’s quarters and staff accommodation in several communities.

He said some of the facilities had been completed and were awaiting commissioning, while others were already in use.

He also explained that the chairman sometimes supports projects initiated by communities after residents have demonstrated commitment by starting construction themselves.

On vocational education, Teeligi said the council had rehabilitated the Bori Crafts Centre to support skills acquisition in areas including catering, sewing and welding.

According to him, the first batch of trainees had completed training, while admission for a second batch had just been concluded.

He called on individuals and organisations to support the centre with equipment, particularly sewing machines, to expand its capacity and enable more residents to acquire practical skills.

The adviser also listed market development and public infrastructure among the administration’s achievements.

He said the council had taken over and completed a central market project initiated by a community-based women group, Monagboka Community Builders Initiative, adding that the facility was awaiting commissioning.

He further highlighted the reconstruction of Civil Defence quarters in Bori and the construction of accommodation for the Khana football team near the local government secretariat.

On security infrastructure, Teeligi said a police station had been built at Luawii and personnel posted to the facility. He explained, however, that flooding and landscaping work had affected the officers’ full resumption at the location.

Looking ahead, Teeligi said the administration planned to establish a standard event centre in Bori that would provide a venue for functions, create employment and generate revenue for the council through subsidised charges.

He also announced plans for a microfinance bank intended to improve access to loans for petty traders and market women.

According to him, the paperwork for the bank had been completed and the proposed site cleared, with a foundation-laying ceremony expected in the near future.

Addressing security, Teeligi described the situation in Khana as stable and said restrictions on commercial motorcycle operations at night had helped to discourage criminal activity.

Teeligi urged residents and community organisations to support the council’s development plans, arguing that cooperation between government and communities would help extend the benefits of infrastructure and skills acquisition programmes.