By Dr. Dalhatu Sani Yola
Federal University, Dutse
In moves unprecedented, prominent state-owned properties are currently
being sold by KNSG and the Kano Municipal Council. They include Triumph
Publishing Company, Daula Hotel, Kano Governor’s Lodge and all KNSG
buildings in Kaduna, Kano Liaison Office at Victoria Island Lagos,
Kundila and Tarauni green areas, the _ganuwa _wall from Kofar Dan Agundi
to Bukavu Barracks and Abbatoir sections of Kurmi market . Hundreds of
plots are demarcated and being sold in Kano State Polytechnic, Race
Course, Kano Capital School, Government Secondary School on Airport Road
and the vast field belonging to the Mentally Deranged Rehabilitation
Centre close to Dawanau Market on Katsina road. Plots have also been
curved in Jaba quarters, the Golf Course and from roadside farmlands at
Tamburawa,.
Despite outcries against these brazen actions, KNSG maintains haughty
silence and makes no attempt whatsoever to offer explanations or engage
anybody in consultations. KNSG officials must not mistake democracy as
being synonymous with autocracy. Governor Ganduje and his cohorts are
basking in power and wallowing in privileges courtesy of votes from the
electorate. Leadership is a trust and responsibility to represent the
people’s best interests not license to lord them over or pillage
public resources. Therefore in the exercise of their right for genuine
representation, Kano electorates demand accountability about these
brazen sales of assets belonging to the State, particularly the due
process framework adopted and full rendition of monies from the
proceeds.
Besides these transparency questions, Kano electorates need to
understand the logic for converting green areas into petrol filling
stations, curving residential habitations on recreational grounds and
building retail shops on nearly every bit of clearing within and around
Kano metropolis. To be sure, buildings would not accelerate business
development nor facilitate innovative transformation. KNSG officials
should wake up to the realities of governance. Today, market practices
are underlined by over pricing and product adulteration. Public
education is in rotten state overwhelmed by poor teacher quality and
deficient infrastructure. Manufacturing is dormant. Public utilities
provisioning is lacking. Street lightening and clean potable water are
nonexistent. Civil service ethos and values are fading. City gutters and
neighborhoods are dirty and unsanitary. Social structures need
strengthening, families and community values, have eroded.
Kano desperately needs honest, committed and god fearing leaders keenly
conscious of the fact that even if they escape judgment in Nigeria, they
would eventually stand before God Almighty.
