Ganduje Light Rail Project: What Kano stands to benefit

Our attention has been drawn to a sponsored, malicious and fictitious article circulating in the social media, written by one Abuja-based Muhammad Inuwa Ali (a Kwankwassiyya apologist), captioned: “What Gov. Ganduje don’t want you to know about the $1.85 billion Kano Light Rail,” condemning the well-conceived light-rail project of His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. […]

Our attention has been drawn to a sponsored, malicious and fictitious article circulating in the social media, written by one Abuja-based Muhammad Inuwa Ali (a Kwankwassiyya apologist), captioned: “What Gov. Ganduje don’t want you to know about the $1.85 billion Kano Light Rail,” condemning the well-conceived light-rail project of His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Kano state Government is also aware of one paid-group, parading itself as Civil Society Organization (CSO), blindly arguing that the Kano Light Rail Project will breed poverty. I want to re-emphasize that I find it very difficult to believe that the so-called CSO which albeit should promote good governance and encourage developmental projects, has descended so low as to play a dirty game for an unprogressive group otherwise known as the Kwankwassiyya. I say this emphatically because the issues raised by the self-acclaimed CSO remain, not only unrealistic, but very doubtful for a city like Kano, known all over the world for its dynamism in terms of trade, commerce, tourism, socio-political and economic development.  

We are aware that these affronts against the Kano light rail project are ill-conceived by the disciples of the Kwankwassiyya who do not want to encourage anything good and positive in Governor Ganduje’s administration. For the records, let me state it clear that the idea of this same light rail project they are criticizing was nursed by the immediate-past governor of Kano state, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. During his administration, he made an attempt to embark on the light rail project. In fact, the immediate-past governor travelled to China with some members of his executives and discussed with a Chinese company on the Kano light rail project. 

So, to my own understanding, the Kwankwassiyya is attacking the light rail project out of mere envy, not because they don’t see it as a good project. Furthermore, while they are making noise (just like they always do in many other laudable and people-oriented projects embarked upon by the Ganduje administration) is that, like I said before, they remain jittery that the current administration has gained the confidence of the people of Kano state. 

So, it is now very clear that members of the Kwankwassiyya are already intimidated by the pace at which Governor Ganduje is approaching developmental projects in the state, fearing that sooner than later, the Ganduje administration will record far more projects than they executed in four years. Therefore, with huge appetite for power and desperate moves to re-launch themselves in 2019, members of the Kwankwassiyya have resorted to campaign of calumny, but they have failed from the beginning because Kano people have seen the difference. 

Giving the status of Kano as the most populous state in the country that plays host to hundreds of millions of people from other parts of the country and even neighbouring countries who troop in on daily bases to transact business and engage in various commercial activities, one will not venture into questioning why Governor Ganduje’s administration with its foresight will give a thought to such laudable project that is in vogue in major cities across the globe. Another major advantage of Kano light rail project will come to bear as I draw your attention to the Federal Government’s proposed Dala Inland Dry Port to be established in Zawachiki axis of Kumbotsho Local Government Area. We also have the Kanawa Economic City which foundation laying ceremony will be performed by President Muhammadu Buhari in January, 2017. So, who will say that Kano does not deserve a light rail project? And which transport system will be more effective for haulage of goods from the Dry Ports if not the light rail transport system?

Already, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, have embraced the project and speculatively, by 2017, they would have been completed. Kano moves at the same pace with these cities, and then one can believe with me that the need for a light rail transport system in Kano is long overdue. In Africa, Algeria has light rail transport system in major cities like Algiers, Constantine and Oran. So it is in Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco and Tunisia. If you travel around other parts of the world, you will attest to the fact that light rail transport system is fast-growing, becoming the major means of transportation within the urban areas.

Light rail remains a high -frequency, medium capacity rapid transit mode that works alongside, not in opposition to, other modes of transport. Light rail can significantly increase mobility in city-centre and inner-suburban areas, helping to reduce congestion, revitalize neighbourhoods and reduce carbon emissions. Light rail is well-established in Europe and it is undergoing a global resurgence. 

For Kano as a city, there are broader economic benefits of light rail which include its contribution to reducing congestion and traffic gridlock which is gradually becoming a major challenge to commercial activities within the metropolis. It is expected to increase productivity through greater urban mobility and transport choice. Light rail has been found to be particularly effective in achieving mode shift away from private vehicle travel. It offers efficiency, comfort, and high capacity. The visual reassurance of light rail infrastructure and the guarantee of regular and reliable services are particularly important factors in helping change urban travel behavior and adore Kano with its befitting status as a mega-city. When completed, the Kano light rail project also has the potential to stimulate associated investment activity, such as urban renewal projects and residential and commercial development, as well as ensuring accessibility. 

Across the world, in commercial cities like Kano, whether they are shipping goods across the country or travelling from the suburbs to city center, companies and commuters rely on light rail or freight services in big and small cities. The costs of driving (gas, insurance and parking) seem like they are constantly on the rise, so municipalities are investing in cost-effective transportation infrastructure options such as light rail. 

For those who are saying that the Kano light rail project is ill-timed or a misplaced priority as they may put it, it is important for them to come to terms with the realities, seeing Kano from the perspective of a 21st century emerging mega-city which has the potentials of serving the economic needs of northern Nigeria and neighbouring Niger, Sudan, Senegal and Mali. The world is progressing and we have no reason to lag behind. There is need to start from somewhere, and as a seasoned administrator who has the interest of the good people of Kano state at heart, Governor Ganduje remains committed in executing needed infrastructures that will seat the state on the front pew of commercial cities with test of modernity and world-class standard. 

The writer of the fiction, Muhammad Inuwa Ali, also raised the issue of compensation. This is where they have shot their guns on their own legs. For example, everybody knew what happened when the immediate past administration took over people’s land for the construction of Northwest University without compensating them; there were so many incidents like that which formed the character of the immediate past administration. It is important to note that the Ganduje’s administration has remained a responsible and responsive administration which carters for the wellbeing and welfare of the Kano people. There has never been a time when Governor Ganduje embarks on projects that may involve the use of peoples land without making plans for compensation. 

Kano state government is, however, not perturbed over the petty article and campaigns of calumny sponsored by the Kwankwassiyya because the content and tune of the piece depicted the exasperation of a defeated and depleted group, desperate to re-launch itself back to relevance. 

Malam Garba is Kano State’s Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture