El-Rufa’i, it’s time to render the tenders

Think of a governor who had a preconceived and well-structured policy roadmap, before the 2015 elections, Nasir El-Rufai will definitely come to mind. El-Rufai’s team took out time to design lusciously articulated policies cutting across sectors with a roadmap to achieving budget efficiency. Fortunately, El Rufai won the bout and was returned as Governor of […]

Think of a governor who had a preconceived and well-structured policy roadmap, before the 2015 elections, Nasir El-Rufai will definitely come to mind. El-Rufai’s team took out time to design lusciously articulated policies cutting across sectors with a roadmap to achieving budget efficiency.
Fortunately, El Rufai won the bout and was returned as Governor of Kaduna State in May 2015. Ever since, what we’ve seen from him is nothing but pristine commitment to make Kaduna Great Again.
What he inherited was a State beleaguered with poor road network, poorly equipped schools, failing water supply, etc. Not being oblivious of the decay, he has promised to make a turn-around.
Kaduna is at the forefront of implementing the TSA system, which is a commendable feat. We are seeing spirited efforts of the Kaduna state government in addressing the perennial Zaria water supply issue.
From 2015 to date, the Kaduna state government has issued scores of tenders to prospective contractors to bid for different projects across the state. This is of course a good step to achieving transparency and restoring public confidence. However, my major concern is that we are yet to see the manifestations of the contracts. I don’t want to believe they are still lying fallow somewhere, perhaps due to paucity of funds. Whatever the case may be, it is high time the government expedited the processes.
One thing I think is adversely affecting El-Rufai’s government is the (mis)prioritisation of the School Feeding Program over projects that are more deserving of attention. I agree that the program is inherently good, but the truth is that this is not the right time for it. Government shouldn’t be spending 12 billion naira annually feeding pupils, while school infrastructure is largely derelict. I am aware that the government has renovated hundreds of classrooms and recruited more than 2000 teachers; it’s still a far cry for a state that prides itself as the Centre of Learning. We need to rest the program, and utilize the funds in building infrastructure and teacher capability.
I hope the KDSG will continue with the good works it has embarked upon so far, and make amends where necessary.
Najeeb Ismail, Bauchi