Kano State remains one of the states in Nigeria that had it so good in terms of human and infrastructural development, particularly during the immediate past administration of former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. However, as the former governor bequeathed the legacies of prosperity, so was the huge debt he left behind. What was the scenario that played out in the last four years in this commercial nerve centre of the North? Is this actually progress or progress in error? Aliyu Mudi Sulaiman reports.
According to available documents from the Debt Management Office, Kano is one of the states that inherited a whopping N379 billion in debt but the successor administration believes there is no cause for alarm.
“I don’t think Kwankwaso has committed any crime for leaving behind these huge liabilities because whatever happened was planned, coordinated and executed with me.
“In any case, leaving behind liabilities from one government to another is a normal thing. Those who are today shouting will do the same or even worst by the time they assume office. My governor, Kwankwaso, deserves to be highly praised for embarking upon the genuine transformational job in Kano state,’’ Governor Ganduje was quoted as saying.
But few months later, after his swearing-into office, the incumbent governor was said to be worried and confused on what to do–whether to complete the gigantic uncompleted projects left behind by his former boss, to initiate new ones or to marry them together because of the financial crisis bedeviling the state treasury.
The bulk of the abandoned projects scattered across the state include 92 road projects in the municipality; three-kilometer flyover at Murtala Muhammad Way, Wuju-Wuju Jakara road projects, Gadon Kaya under – pass road and five kilometer road under construction in each of the 44 local government areas and many more.
A source told Time Nigeria that out of the five kilometer roads in the 44 local government areas only that of Kabo Local government was completed and the remaining 43 have only attained less than 20 percent completion. In addition, The North West University project requires serious attention in order to get accreditation for many courses by the NUC.
Also, there are some projects left behind by former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, two specialists Hospitals at Zoo Road and at Giginyu which were almost completed but abandoned.
According to the Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, who was the Chairman of the 93-Member Transition Committee while presenting his report, the Kwankwaso administration initiated over 4,000 projects for which over N140 billion was paid to contractors with N4.5billion still outstanding.
But the local contractors led by Auduwa Maitathengaran insists that the Kwankwaso administration owes them over N60 billion.
Already, Abubakar had told the Kano people that ‘’hard times await Kano and it might take patience to get along.’’
But to cut down cost of governance, the governor has reduced the number of commissioners by merging some ministries while a committee was set up to find ways to generate more revenue to the state.
Also recently, government sacked 2,620 casual staff of the state-owned Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), but this action generated a lot of criticisms, especially now that the streets of Kano are littered with refuse.
The Commissioner for Information Alhaji Muhammad Garba, said the disengagement of the sweepers was to curb unnecessary expenditure.
He said the state government was spending not less than N26.2 million every month on the workers who collect an allowance of N10, 000 each.
The state government is also battling to pay over N3billion as school fees of its students in foreign universities and 50 female nursing students.
Ganduje had explained that the delay in settling the fees was due to a mix-up in the list of the students and the prevailing unfavourable state of the economy, assuring of his continuous support to the students.
Inspite of the current challenges facing the state, Ganduje remains optimistic that his administration would deliver on its promises.
This optimism is shared by his Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Rt. Hon. Shehu Haruna Lambu, who said the state government has mobilized contractors to continue the uncompleted projects.
He told Time Nigeria that the administration had completed the Kabuga under bridge while the Gadon Kaya Under pass was ongoing.
Lambu saidalthough, government was faced with economic challenges, the administration was working hard to improve revenue so that the people will get more dividends of democracy.
Also speaking, the House Committee Chairman on Works and Transport, Hon. Ibrahim Ahmad Gama, told Time Nigeria that the state government will do everything possible to complete the ongoing projects despite the economic challenges.
“The state government is ever determined to complete the projects on the ground,’’ he said.
The questions are how and when will these projects be completed?