Why Governor Shema should intervene
To these communities, however, the downpour of this primary source of life from the divine providence means, in addition, a debut of a fresh cycle of pains and uncertainties in all spheres of human endeavour. This is because the already poor road network linking these communities to the outside world is made worse and almost […]
To these communities, however, the downpour of this primary source of life from the divine providence means, in addition, a debut of a fresh cycle of pains and uncertainties in all spheres of human endeavour. This is because the already poor road network linking these communities to the outside world is made worse and almost totally unmotorable by the earliest rain drops.
A more sinister scenario looms by late July to early September when the rain storms experienced in the area flood the surrounding streams, thereby imposing a near total blockade on the populace. Then, one cannot easily leave these communities even in conditions of emergent ill-health. Several innocent lives are helplessly lost in such pathetic circumstances.
There was a time when what obtained in communities between Zaria and Funtua was similarly bad. But during the 2nd republic, a section of this was liberated from these shackles by construction of Mararraban Yakawada- Kaya-Sabuwa road. The reconstruction of Funtua – Dandume – Birnin Gwari road by the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF) on the other hand, relieved another section of its worries. Tumburkai, Magaji wando, Dansoda and Dantankari became thus hemmed in between the above named “lucky” ones.
Despite the recent road construction “bonanza” experienced in the last decade in the state, it is surprising that this politically active population is still silently reeling under this stern condition of isolation and neglect. Whereas additional roads were constructed elsewhere for the purpose of just making a political point, here are a people, on the other side, whose main problem is the poor road network, but it seems their plight is yet to be reckoned important enough to attract attention at the government house.
Yes, during the administration of former governor, Alhaji Saidu Barda, the first and only serious attempts at solving the problem was launched. The project could not, however, see the light of day after the preliminary works because of the coup that ousted the government.
It has recently been reported that the construction of Tudun-Iya – Maska – Tumburkai – Magaji Wando – Dantankari – Kadisau road has got its way into this year’s budget of the state government. But reliable sources confirmed to this writer that the project has no cash backing in the 2010 fiscal year. It is therefore marked as tentative, the source added, because of the effects of the global economic meltdown on the coffers of the state government.
If this revelation turns out to be valid, and there appears no reason to suggest the contrary, then one cannot but express a legitimate concern on this attitude of selective application of this austerity measure. Despite the said “economic crisis”, projects, some of which are less pressing and potentially engulfing more resources, are underway under the same circumstances. It is tempting to feel like we are living in a George Owen’s animal farm of sort, where “all animals are equal but some are more equal than others”.
This is why it seems morally imperative to remind his Excellency, Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, an outstanding legal practitioner in his own right, that “justice delayed is justice denied”, as a popular legal dictum goes. Therefore, the road construction project should have the necessary cash backing for its execution in this fiscal year. In fact, this project is a demand of generations, as far as the locals are concerned. It is therefore a good opportunity for his excellency to break the jinx and make history, and be to the area what the former governor of the defunct Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa has been to people of Marabar Yakawada -Kaya – Sabuwa axis; a living political icon.
To these people, just like doubting Thomas, they want to see what is perpetually aired through their radio receivers and television sets about the Shema administration as a practical reality on ground, to be able to pass any meaningful judgement on the administration. This is so, especially considering the fact that Dandume and Funtua are among the few local governments in the state with no state road passing through them.
The National Population Commission has not released the locality analysis of the 2006 Census yet. But a projection from the 1999 headcount based on a 3.181 annual growth rate, shows that those communities constitute more than 56% of the entire population of the local government area. If one includes the other beneficiaries of the road like Tudun Iya and Maska in Funtua Local Government, as well as Kadisau in Faskari local government, the aggregate population of the citizens demanding the project equals that of an average local government in the state.
Economically, the locality is undoubtedly the most fertile and agriculturally productive in the state, hectare by hectare. This is, therefore, an urgent appeal on behalf of the entire affected communities to Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, to pity these disadvantaged communities and solve this long standing problem of theirs.
Dr Garba writes from No 67 Layin Vespa, off Yahaya Madaki Road, Opposite Oasis Bakery, Katsina