Masari and his new concept for Katsina

It is no longer news that the campaign slogan upon which the All Progressives Congress (APC) rode to power in Katsina State is ‘Restoration Agenda’. During the campaign, Governor Aminu Bello Masari lamented the deplorable state of infrastructure, health and education facilities in the state. For instance, in the area of education, he promised that […]

It is no longer news that the campaign slogan upon which the All Progressives Congress (APC) rode to power in Katsina State is ‘Restoration Agenda’. During the campaign, Governor Aminu Bello Masari lamented the deplorable state of infrastructure, health and education facilities in the state.

For instance, in the area of education, he promised that if voted into power as governor, he would ensure that each pupil in public schools would receive an egg per day. He also pledged to ensure that all his children would attend public schools in the state. Similarly, he promised massive recruitment of teachers and general renovation of public schools.  But surprisingly, two years into his tenure, all the promises have remained a mirage.

So far, the only renovation that took place in the public schools was repainting the available structures in the ruling party’s colour.  The promise of massive recruitment of teachers is yet to be fulfilled.

Although Governor Masari, in a symbolic show, enrolled two of his children in a public school sometime last year, findings showed that his children study outside the country.  Interestingly also, the public school where his children were reportedly enrolled, has more and better facilities than any other public or private school in the state.

It is surprising that the governor, in a recent town hall meeting with indigenes of Katsina State resident in Kaduna, painted a gloomy picture of the educational sector in his state. Apparently, he forgot that two years down the line, he is yet to fulfill his electoral promises on education.

All over the world, the compliance is towards solar-powered electricity, but Katsina is moving towards diesel generator-powered electricity for its street lights, while solar-powered ones are almost maintenance-free while the cost of diesel and maintenance of generators cannot be determined.

Also, recently, the Katsina State government, in partnership with a company known as Space and Pattern Limited, created 40 hectares where 500 plots of land would be sold to beneficiaries to build houses of their own choice. Masari said such collaboration became imperative as a result of government’s lean financial situation, which hindered the government from providing houses for the people. By this statement, the state government is no longer in a financial position to provide affordable houses for the people.

It is disheartening that the present administration has always used the lean financial situation of the state as an excuse for the non-delivery of campaign promises.

It is instructive to know that the Masari administration received about N200 billion in the last 20 months from the federation account,  loans from banks and  the Paris Club refund.

 

Lawal Hassan wrote from Airport Road, Kwado, Katsina.