Abuja — Despite their large populations and silent contributions to national development efforts, our rural inhabitants remain significantly cut off from the basic amenities of decent existence. Though they produce the bulk of the food that feeds the nation, the rural dwellers have not felt the presence of government for several years. Wrong priorities, official apathy and lack of comprehensive development strategies have greatly contributed to the inability of the rural people to enjoy basic social services.

It is impossible to think of democracy dividend without giving adequate consideration to how the welfare of the rural dwellers receives official priority. Though they constitute a reasonable voting population, rural inhabitants have remained largely detached from government. Democratic success does not depend on the ability to build grandiose structures while majority of the rural people are cut off from basic necessities of life.

Obviously disturbed by this ugly reality, the Goje administration in Gombe State has identified rural development as one of its priority areas. Ever since his administration came into office, it has mobilized available resources to accelerate rural development. Road construction is an essential component of fast-tracking rural development and the Goje administration has already launched this effort.

Through its policy of opening up the rural areas, roads are now springing up in the rural areas of Gombe State. Electric power is a major component of accelerating rural development. For the first time in the history of Gombe State, the Goje administration has connected more than one hundred villages to the national grid. To be sure, this is one of the most aggressive rural development policy ever adopted and implement by any state government.

Working harmoniously and in concert with the local government councils, the administration is bringing smiles to the faces of the rural people who have been abandoned for several years. To make water supply readily available to the rural people, the Goje administration also provided over two hundred motorized boreholes and drilled several hand pumps across the state in addition. Earth dams were also constructed to enhance and expand water sources. As part of the policy to extend electric power to the rural areas all the 200 KVA sub-stations in the state were upraded to 500 KVA.

The frequent migration of rural dwellers to Abuja and other urban areas stems from the perception that life is more tolerable in the cities. However, how do we stop the migration of the rural inhabitants when governments fail to make the rural areas attractive through sound policies? Perhaps influenced by this reality, the Goje administration is leaving no stone unturned to change the fortunes of rural areas.

Rural dwellers are the frequent victims of most preventable water- borne diseases and the kind intervention by the Goje administration to tackle this challenge is significant in making democratic governance produce results. In the past, the rural areas have been left to their fate, despite the fact that their votes are needed to bring politicians to power. The renewed focus on rural development clearly demonstrates that the Goje administration has a proper grasp of their aspirations.

Access to potable water is one of the immediate challenges facing rural communities in developing nations such as Nigeria. It however, doesn't take a miracle to tackle this challenge. All it demands is effective political leadership that is responsible and responsive. And to the credit of the Goje administration, it is yet to be rivalled as far as rural development is concerned. Instead of going for grandiose and prestige-boosting projects, his administration is giving focus on development drive that is relevant to the needs of the people

In fact, since democracy begins to function at the lowest level of political representation, no responsible administration can afford to ignore rural development. The Goje administration had made a mark for itself in this respect. It doesn't mean, however, that the Gombe State Government is richer than others in comparable situation of development challenges. The only difference is that Gombe State uses available resources to achieve efficient results. Governor Danjuma Goje recently told the Vanguard newspaper that there is no magic in his strategies except prudence. He disclosed that his administration does not owe any contractor because projects are executed when funds are readily available for them. The Governor challenged such contractors to contradict his claim.

Sound planning and prudent management of resources are the hallmark of efficient leadership. And for achieving so much with limited funds, Goje has proved his competence beyond any shadow of doubt. He uses the same federal subvention and internally generated revenue to achieve these remarkable results. Rural development is the foundation of democratic governance and working for the happiness of the greatest number is the evidence of a responsible democratic leader.

The Goje administration has proved itself in this regard. Nothing weakens democracy like abandoning the larger population of the people to their fate because they don't know their rights. By identifying with the aspiration of the rural people through making water supply, healthcare, electricity and poverty alleviation support available to them, the Goje administration has distinguished itself in making democratic rule relevant to everyday life of the people.