Burra renews decades-long push for LG status, submits memo to Senate, House of Reps

The Burra community in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State has reignited its long-standing demand for the creation of a separate Burra Local Government Area, submitting formal memoranda to both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Constitutional Amendment.

At a public hearing organized by the House Committee in Gombe, the leader of the Burra delegation, Alhaji Zakari Hussaini Burra, presented the case, stating that the demand for local government status dates back over 50 years.

He revealed that the aspiration is rooted in the belief that such status would accelerate economic growth, improve governance, and enhance security in the area.

The presentation comes just a week after the same delegation laid a similar request before the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment during its hearing in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Zakari described Burra as the oldest district in Nigeria without local government status, established as far back as 1902.

He highlighted the district’s geographical isolation, noting that it lies over 111 kilometers from the Ningi council headquarters and about 211 kilometers from Bauchi, the state capital. Burra shares borders with six local government areas across Bauchi, Kano, and Jigawa states.

According to him, this vast distance has created serious security and administrative challenges, leaving the area marginalized in terms of development.

Based on the 2006 census, Burra’s population stood at 173,112, and is projected to have grown to 340,987 by 2025, using an annual growth estimate of 3.7 percent.

The proposed Burra Local Government would comprise the current Burra District, which includes five village areas — Burra, Kurmi, Sama, Kyata and Bashe — with over 300 villages and hamlets under them.

He further noted that Burra was historically a self-governing district until it was merged with Ningi and Warji in 1902 under colonial administration, and later absorbed into Ningi Local Government during the 1976 reforms.

Covering a landmass of 2,348 square kilometers, the district is not only rich in agricultural potential — producing crops such as maize, millet, rice, cotton, groundnuts, and soybeans — but also boasts abundant mineral resources, including tin ore, columbite, gypsum, and tantalite. It is also home to the Lame-Burra Game Reserve, the second largest in Bauchi State after Yankari.

Zakari also stressed the availability of skilled manpower, noting that Burra has produced numerous professionals across different levels of government, who are ready to serve if the local government is created.

He appealed to the National Assembly to heed their call, stating, “Our people have been cut off from the center of governance for far too long. We believe local government autonomy will bring lasting development to our area.”;

In his response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendment for the Northeast, Usman Bello Kumo, commended the delegation and assured them that the request would be given serious attention.

“We recognize the legitimacy of your demand and will do all within our legislative capacity to ensure your voice is heard,”; Kumo stated.