The prolonged security challenges in Bunkpurugu continue to take a heavy toll on access to essential public services, particularly education and healthcare, prompting renewed calls for locally driven staffing solutions.
The Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu, Abednego Bandim, has raised alarm over the chronic shortage of teachers, nurses and National Service Personnel in the constituency, attributing the situation to widespread reluctance by non-residents to accept postings to the area. According to the MP, the staffing crisis has severely disrupted teaching and learning, leaving many schools either understaffed or completely shut down.
Speaking at a gathering of the Bimoba Students Union, Mr Bandim disclosed that several basic and junior high schools are operating with only one teacher handling multiple classes, a situation he described as unsustainable. In some communities, he noted, ongoing tensions have forced schools to close altogether, further deepening the educational gap.
To address the problem, the MP has proposed a shift in recruitment policy, urging the Ministry of Education to prioritise qualified indigenes for postings within the constituency. He argued that professionals who originate from the area are more likely to accept postings, stay longer, and remain committed to serving their communities despite prevailing challenges.
Beyond education and health staffing, the meeting also highlighted broader infrastructural concerns affecting students. The Secretary to the EC Chair of the Bimoba Students’ Union, Laar Yoobaar, appealed for urgent intervention to improve mobile network connectivity in the constituency, describing poor service as a major obstacle to academic research and communication.
Given Mr Bandim’s role as Chairman of Parliament’s Communication and Information Committee, the students expressed hope that he would engage telecom operators and relevant authorities to help resolve the connectivity challenges and improve learning conditions for students in the area.
