Wisely use Kano’s N10bn Paris Fund refund

As Nigerians congratulate the 36 State governments on the Paris club refund, it is our hope that the money would be utilized judiciously for the overall benefit of the people of Kano State and indeed other states. No doubt, Nigerians are in dire need of succour and proper utilization of the refund will go a […]

As Nigerians congratulate the 36 State governments on the Paris club refund, it is our hope that the money would be utilized judiciously for the overall benefit of the people of Kano State and indeed other states. No doubt, Nigerians are in dire need of succour and proper utilization of the refund will go a long way in alleviating their excruciating pains.

Kano State can be said to be better off when compared with most of her peers in terms of project execution and provision of democracy dividends since the advent of the present democratic dispensation. The state was also lucky to have had former civilian governors who did a lot in many development areas. And gladly too, the incumbent governor has so far shown demonstrable love for continuity in the execution of some abandoned projects inherited from previous administrations and initiating new ones despite the overhyped economic crunch besetting the country.

With focus on Kano, the N10bn refund should not be spent on frivolities. An economic think tank is urgently required to strategize on how to spend the money constructively. In this regard, let the governor realize that rural dwellers too are in dire need of government presence in their lives in other to have a sense of belonging and justify their immense contributions to the electoral process.

He should also take a hard look at critical sectors like education, health and water supply and declare a state of emergency in order to tackle myriads of problems besetting these areas, bearing in mind the needs of our people. Of course, I must acknowledge the profound achievements of the administration in the completion of the two abandoned general hospitals at Hausawa Zoo Road and Giginyu Quarters, but much still needs to be done. The much desired opening of the new teaching hospital at Kwanar Dawaki which was constructed by former governor Shekarau and which unfortunately has since been left to waste should be reconsidered. By this gesture, he would be giving the residents who go all the way to the Murtala Muhammed Hospital the best gift and save many lives.

Since the creation of Kano State in 1967, there are some projects that have defied execution by all previous administrations despite their significance to the overall progress and development of the state. Indeed, most observers are of the opinion that the ceaseless protests from the people who are the direct beneficiaries of the projects were due to the fear of inadequate compensation and available land for new homes. If Governor Ganduje can personally handle this contentious issue of inadequate compensation and provide lands for people whose structures would be affected, I believe nobody would oppose such developmental projects in his domain. Of course, some level of tenacity, political will, doggedness, single minded determination and some low level usage of coercive force might also be handy as the case may warrant dealing with trouble makers in the execution of laudable projects, while any structure that stands in the way should be reasonably demolished.

In my honest view, for Kano to be  truly a mega city and retain its position as the most developed commercial and cultural nerve center in northern Nigeria, the city must be re-modeled completely.

In line with that aspiration, it is being suggested that the following roads should be converted to multiple lanes: Kofar Na’isa to Mandawari Sabon Titi road; Gidan Shettima to Mambayya House through Makwarari; Dan Agundi to emir’s palace; Dan Agundi to Hasiya Bayero via Gwangwazo; emir’s palace to Kasuwar Kurmi via Shahuci; Jakara Kasuwa to IBB Way through Dukawa; Zoo Road to BUK Road through Sharada and finally the completion of Wuju-Wuju Road project which was initiated by former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

When executed, these road projects will create multiplier effects for economic rejuvenation, crime prevention and control, easy accessibility, beautification and modernization of the ancient city! Similarly, some areas like Darmanawa Quarters, Sallari, Sheka, Unguwa Ukku, and Karkasara also deserve attention.

By initiating other laudable projects, generations yet unborn would certainly remember Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in superlative terms.

Tsakuwa writes from Kano