By Oyewale Oyelola
Within the short time in office, Kano State governor, Dr. Umar Ganduje, has been impacting positively on every sector of the state despite the financial challenges facing all states due to the fall in global oil price.
Ganduje, who served as deputy governor for eight years, had been unequivocal about the administration’s policy thrust hinged on that of Musa Kwankwaso administration.
Many would recall that the governor in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2015 had said: “I am part and parcel of the Kwankwaso’s administration and whatever must have happened; we all should take the responsibility.
“ On the issue of liabilities, yes, it is correct that we have huge liabilities, but that does not mean that it is a crime, we planned everything together with my boss (Kwankwaso); but unfortunately, what we envisaged did not work as the price of oil came down. So, what do we do? We could not complete the projects because of lack of funds—that is not a problem. Now, it is a matter of re-planning and rescheduling.”
But as part of his re-planning strategy, Ganduje harping President Muhammadu Buhari’s change agenda, re-introduced the Kano Anti-Corruption Commission under the Office-of-the-Governor to curb corruption and block leakage in order to get more funds for development of the state.
The anti-graft commission discovered massive cases of fraud at Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) and Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB). An investigation panel was immediately raised and all the casual workers that were used as conduit pipe for siphoning public treasury were suspended.
Ganduje also established the Due Process Bureau to promote due diligence and reform culture in the operation of government business.
Kano State has also adopted Single Treasury Act in line with Federal Government policy to ensure financial prudence in the state. Ganduje also reduced allowances of all political appointees by 50 per cent to generate more revenue for development that will be beneficial to the masses who voted massively for APC during April 2015 governorship election.
Ganduje understands that a conducive environment will boost the productivity of lawmakers and he consequently renovated the State House of Assembly Complex and furnished the offices of the Speaker and other lawmakers.
The state government also earmarked N1 billion for storage facility of rice and wheat that would be produced by farmers in the state. The governor also approved N100 million for the procurement of improved wheat seeds for farmers.
In the health sector, the state government also spent N2billion on drugs and medical equipment for patients and hospitals to address health challenges in the state. Furthermore, the administration purchased 153 tricycle ambulances for transporting pregnant women to hospitals to ensure their safe delivery.
The Ganduje administration had consistently expressed commitment toward bringing affordable and quality health care services to people of the state.
On bilateral relationship, the state government is partnering with the government of Australia to grant scholarships to indigenes of the state to enable them acquire post graduate education in that country.
“Naturally, because of our population, Kano, being the most populous state in Nigeria, we are looking forward to your country’s scholarship opportunity for our young men and women so that they can further their education and contribute more meaningfully to nation building,’’ the governor had said at a forum.
The Kano State Executive Council also approved N342 million for procurement of aluminium sulphate and polymer for water treatment to enhance potable water supply in the state.
The Ganduje led administration released N296 million for the purchase of 16 trucks for waste evacuation. The trucks will enhance waste evacuation.
The trucks will be deployed to the state Refuse Management and Sanitation Board REMASAB which has also promised to begin the conversion of waste to wealth before the end of 2016.
To promote service delivery, the state government in 2015 introduced biometric time and attendance machine for monitoring workers’ punctuality in their various places of work.
The Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Head of Service, Alhaji Mustapha Fagge, said the machine was introduced to boost productivity of civil servants and not to witch-hunt anybody.
Ganduje is also paying workers’ salaries and bonuses promptly. Equally, the governor has mobilized contractors to continue on-going road construction across the 44 local government areas in the state.
In August 2015, Ganduje in his bid to enhance security and curb the level of crime donated 15 patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state. The state government is also working with security agencies to ensure security of lives and properties of people living in the state.
The Kano State Police Command only recently arrested over 100 cattle rustlers terrorizing the state.
The state government is working with India, Canada and other countries to bring foreign investors to the state.
To be sure, Kano State is in safe hands with Ganduje as governor and there is no doubt that there are brighter and rewarding days ahead.