Kano state government says there is no going back on its intention to access loan for the construction of Light Rail Transit Project in Metropolitan Kano, a project conceived after due consultations with major stakeholders in the state.
Kano state government also insists that the light rail project, apart from other benefits, is designed to expand commercial activities, and ease transportation of agricultural goods and services across the state for the benefit of the good people of our dear state.
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A press release issued by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, in a swift reaction to a statement by the Kwankwasiyya Movement on the project, indicates that no amount of criticism will deter the government from carrying out laudable projects that aimed at transforming Kano to a Mega City.
Earlier, Aminu Abdulssalam, running-mate of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 elections, who has now taken another job as the spokesman of the Kwankwassiyya Movement, addressed a Press Conference in Abuja, where he made an attempt to discredit the dynamic initiative of Kano state government, which initially covers a total of 75.02 km, but has now been reduced, in view of its capital intensive nature (considering the economic realities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic), and the need to ensure a well-planned execution.
Malam Garba points out that since the foreign loan has already been approved by the China Export-Import Bank, the government would go ahead with the projects and the state lawmakers have recommended the contractor Messrs CR18G-CRCEGJV to commence with a lot I which starts from Dawanau Grains Market-Bata, being Phase I of the project and to be completed within 20 months.
Malam Garba states that all the due processes are being followed which include getting approval from the state House of Assembly and clearance from the relevant federal agencies and the National Assembly.
The commissioner further explains that the Kwankwasiyya position on the project is not in any way surprising considering that the movement never appreciates anything no matter how well thought out by the APC administration in Kano.
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He says the Kwankwassiyya Movement, which has been overawed by the uncommon achievements of Governor including the Light Rail project Abdullahi Umar Ganduje administration in all facets of development, and particularly, the initiation and execution of mega projects, is now afraid of its shadows. They have embarked on a smear campaign in a desperate move to bring the state government into disrepute.
The Commissioner, however, says that no amount of blackmail will stand as a stumbling block for the APC government to initiate people-oriented policies and programs in the overall interest of the state.
