Sustainable Development Concerns:

Within the last three to four decades that Kabong evolved from being a typical berom village to a ‘Semi-Urban District’, there has been relatively very little development efforts within her boundaries either by the government or by nongovernmental agencies. This coupled with the unfortunate fact that Kabong has one of the highest concentrations of alcohol-selling-spots (“Joints”) par-sqkm has degraded our beautiful and serene community into a sort of ‘Mammy Market’ where everyone is like a ‘Transit Tourist ‘trying to get the best out of the ‘Kabong Fiesta’.

Inflicting a negative psychographic effect on the wellbeing of our people, as a result of which Kabong is now beset by numerous social problems which includes;

• The age limit of alcohol consumers is dropping to early ‘teens’, while the percentage of alcohol consumption amongst young people has increased significantly within the last five years.
• The level of exposure of young children to alcohol, illicit drugs, sexual violence, abuse etc. is daily on the increase.
• There seem to be a prevailing rate of illiteracy amongst alcohol consumers.
• The poor state or absence of sanitary facilities and conveniences around liquor houses and other commercial areas.
• The annual flooding and lost of lives and properties due to the ever growing practice of dumping waste to the Kabong River.
• The increasing rate of sexual activity and the resultant spread of the HIV Virus and other STIs amongst young people.
• The consistent rhythm of deaths attributed TB, Witch Craft or AIDS.
• Teenage Pregnancies and illegal abortions seem to be on the rise.
• The absence of Youth Friendly Centers and Recreational Facilities.
• The increasing number of ‘idle youths’ and the absence of ‘Skilled Workforce’ amongst the young people.
• ‘Narrow mindedness’ due to a poor reading culture.
• The absence of rehabilitation programs for school dropouts to reintegrate them into the productive sector of the community.
• The marginalization of young people in politics.
• The un-tarred and badly damaged road network.
• The absence of portable water and shortage of save drinking water supply.
• Erratic electricity supply.
• The increasing rate of alcohol, cigarette and cannabis addictions amongst young people and the resultant upsurge in mental disorders, crime and gender violence.
• The absence of proper refuse and waste disposal facilities.
• The increasing number of children growing up in homes where alcohol is made and sold.
• The unrestricted sale and consumption of Indian hemp and other illicit substances by young people along the Kabong River Valley.
• The growing number of talented youths who have no one to encourage and assist them in developing their God-given talents to career level.

Current Developmental Needs;

• Organized waste management systems.
• Sanitary facilities and Public Conveniences.
• Well Tarred Road network.
• Family Support Scheme for low income households residing in local beer making premises.
• Business support center to assist small scale entrepreneurs and cooperative initiatives.
• Community library to encourage the culture of reading and open the minds of the local youth to the realities of a global village.
• Rehabilitation programs for school dropouts and other uneducated and idle youths.
• Counseling and support for recovering alcohol and other drug addicts.
• Awareness creation for political empowerment and capacity building for youths.
• Youth Friendly Centers with Internet and Recreational Facilities.
• Skill acquisition centers to raise an army of skilled workforce.
• Sporting facilities and coaching programs.
• Standard Adult Literacy and an ‘Approved Night School Program’.
• Talent development and mentoring program.
• Proper reproductive health education and a confidential one-on-one counseling service.
• New water transmission lines, booster stations, boreholes, over-head-tanks, concrete reservoirs and hand-dug-wells.
• Alternative and renewable energy sources and Bio-Fuel innovations.