Re: Kano’s empty pride
Honestly, having brushed aside my empty pride, and pondered deeply at what the writer tried to expound critically; I couldn’t agree more to that painful truth! I think the writer wanted to awaken us from deep slumber to the sordid reality of Kano, nay the country in general. That instead of living in the past, […]
Honestly, having brushed aside my empty pride, and pondered deeply at what the writer tried to expound critically; I couldn’t agree more to that painful truth!
I think the writer wanted to awaken us from deep slumber to the sordid reality of Kano, nay the country in general. That instead of living in the past, fantasizing about lost glories; we should begin to tell ourselves the bitter truth. We should accept reality of the situation in Kano and stop being unnecessarily paranoid; perhaps we may chart a new course into the future at least for the sake of posterity!
So, taking a look at Kano’s economy; the decline becomes noticeable since the eighties due partly to internal forces and partly to external interference. An average Bakano that used to be hard working, resourceful, enterprising, adventurous and full of mercantile spirit in the past; rare qualities that used to set him apart before were no longer tenable. Today, he is pitifully at the mercy of government patronage without which his life will be gravely imperiled.
Some are wont to blame unfavorable economic policies of the federal government as being responsible for aggravating the economic woes afflicting Kano; citing the deindustrialization process of the north by Obasanjo; but in as much as Obasanjo worked harder to truncate the economy of the north; the people equally share in the blame for reason of ultra conservatism, and strong aversion to imbibing new ideas!
For example, in this knowledge based era, instead of investing in ICT, and Agriculture and opening up small, medium and large scale manufacturing concerns, they only compete in building corner shops at every available space within the metropolis!
And contrary to the much hyped political sophistication of Kanawa, the idea was nothing but a myth. Yes, where was the sophistication when political leaders cannot be elected on the basis of sound pedigree and excellent records of performance?
Is it sophistication that for fear of electoral backlash in subsequent elections, Kano state government has so far refused to tax a potential gold mine drivable from the over two million certified okada riders in the state. I believe the indefatigable Fashola of Lagos whom Kwankwaso purports to copy could not have transformed Lagos without adequate internally generated revenue (IGR).Huge IGR is therefore; invariably allowed to fritter away on the basis of political expediencies!
On assumption, Fashola hit the ground running. Taxing every taxable venture and setting machineries in motion for the overall transformation of Lagos regardless of whose ox is gored. And in 2011, the political sophistry of Lagosian came into play AND FASHOLA WAS RE-ELECTED OVERWHELMINGLY BASED ON PERFORMANCE ALONE! Could that be possible in Kano with all the hype about fake political sophistication?
Candidly speaking, without change in value perceptions, no meaningful development could be recorded. For instance, through BTR, transportation in Lagos is now well regulated in contrast to Kano where chaotic transport sector has so far defied solution. Movement within the city is a nightmare; and the people are not ready to obey simple traffic regulations due to lack of enforcement by government in order not to jeopardize future electoral fortunes!
In the eighties, late governor Rimi of blessed memory attempted what was clearly a revolutionary effort to modernize the business climate of Kano through the ambitious and visionary development of new ultra modern markets to decongest Kano. But the effort was scuttled out of Kano’s primitive and diabolic culture of resisting every conceivable change. Similar attempt was made by Former Governor Shekarau in the development of Kanawa Trade Center via public private partnership, but as at today, such life transforming project has characteristically remained in limbo.
How the present chaotic transport quagmire besetting the state would be addressed without relocating the three major markets to more auspicious spaces still begs for an answer.
Today, Kano has degenerated into what could best be described as a mega-slum. No proper planning (Awun Igiyya). Even the so called GRAs were bastardized by successive governments. Issues of adherence to master plan do not even arise. Many portions of the mega-slum that need to be demolished to give way for redesigning and expansion into multi carriage ways lay fallow. And afraid of the people’s fury, no successive government has been able to muster the much needed political will to wear the gauntlet and carryout drastic reforms; simply because, retrogressive Kanawa (without apology) will oppose the move!
Now the poser: Could Kwankwaso dare demolish Kofar Dan-Agundi to emir’s palace road, or Gidan Shettima to Mambayya house among others to open up the city?
To make matter worse, instead of continuity, Kano government is busy settling scores, and fighting perceived enemies left, right and center to the detriment of the overall development and progress of the state. Arbitrariness has now become the new mantra as amplified by the arrogation of maximum power to a mere political appointee over and above constitutionally recognized portfolios. How that will help take Kano to the next level remains to be seen.
Of necessity therefore, Kanawa should purge themselves of empty pride and unnecessary delusion about Kano’s past towering stature in the economic, social and political spheres in the country and face reality through shifting of ground and embracing modernization based on new thinking, new attitudes and being receptive to change. But if they are not ready to make hard sacrifices and subscribe to progressive ideas; they should forgo development till thy kingdom come!
Kabiru Tsakuwa can be reached through [email protected]