fbpx
Connect with us

Opinion

Governor Ganduje’s thirst for foreign loans

Published

on

 

Umar Haruna Doguwa

In every nation or state there exists a certain class of people that excel in their respective chosen fields called professionals.

These professionals offer from time to timepieces of advice and sometimes engagements to their nations or states, based purely on experience and professionalism.

They offer this mostly for free to those in governance for better, purposeful, people-oriented, and more refined results such that the government will cater to its citizens and leave a lasting legacy for generations yet unborn. Not heeding their ( professionals) advice mostly come with catastrophic consequences.

A quick throwback; at the peak of COVID -19 pandemic in Kano State when an audio clip of a well known human rights activist Barr. Sa’eeda Sa’ad went viral on how Kano State Government, under Governor Ganduje turned down an offer for advice and engagements free by some indigenes of Kano State, who are prominent and professional medics on how to contain and control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the State.

#

Atiku to Buhari, Apologise to Nigerians over debts
No one needs a telescope to see what’s coming, as we are now counting our losses of an unprecedented number of senior citizens died in a single year in the history of Kano State( Allah yayi musu Rahama, Amen). The pains of their exit, which individual families and responsible citizens are left to bear with and which this Government keeps denying with brazen unconsciousness, doctored numbers, and claims.

 

 

The claims that contradict those released by the presidential committee on COVID-19 to Kano and that of the Hon Minister of Health in their separate press briefings on the reason for the unprecedented deaths in Kano and on which the Government of Governor Ganduje was remorseless.

Another known advice, fresh in the minds of the good people of Kano to Ganduje’s Government was on foreign loans accumulation through a letter signed by two prominent senior citizens of Kano, Sani Ahmed Sufi Ph.D. mni and Aishatu Ibrahim Dankani mni OON on behalf of Kano LEADSInitiative, a non-partisan conglomeration of professionals of Kano extraction, their advice and many more of its types by prominent professionals with track records of achievements on foreign loans, as usual, fell on the unlistening ear of the State Government.

Democracy can be the worst form of government when there’s no accountability. Awfully worst is when the government refused to heed to the sincere advice of the majority and professionals, men of impeccable integrity and allowed self-interest, naive and incapable aides who are ready to compromise everything and lose their souls for a pot of porridge. They do that in order to keep their meaningless appointments.

In that situation, lawful and legal resistance becomes a duty for all.

Lawful and legal resistance with sensible and intelligent questions, indisputable figures, and comparative analysis that make them jittery scampering for cover.

It’s being taught in elementary economics that Internal revenues and external debts are two main variables that determine the direction, stability, and the entire performance of a state or nation’s economy.

Most states and even developing nations have become victims of foreign debts which has significantly rendered their individual economies frail and prone to dictatorship/modern slavery of foreign debtors.

This happens when a substantial part of the state or nation’s internal revenues is used for debt servicing and payments at the detriment of social, educational, and infrastructural development of the state or nation.

Being a former commissioner in Kano State and former State Party Chairman (APC) that led Governor Ganduje’s campaigns/elections and knowing fully well the drastic and visible measures taken by Kwankwaso’s administration of existing inherited foreign loans and also making it a policy not to take foreign or local loans because of their side effect. I was shocked when I read an article written by one Muhammad Garba, the present Kano State Commissioner for Information in an online Newspaper, Stalliontimes of 31st May 2020 titled “Sustaining development in kano amid COVID-19 contagion”. That the State Government has secured a loan of €64.5 million euros ( Equivalent to #28,474,492,500 Billion. At the official exchange rate of #441.465:€1)from French Development Agency, which has already been released to the hands of Governor Ganduje.

He also made mention of another foreign loan of $200 million dollars from another foreign bank(Equivalent to # 77,616,760,000Billion. At the official exchange rate of #388.0388:$1) by the State Government. The two foreign loans totaling #106, 091,252,500Billion( Compound Interest not added).

I paused a little and reflect on the impact of this colossal amount of foreign loans on the State economy. As if, the glaring burden on the State mono-economy is not enough, (The State Economy now depends solely on Monthly Federal Allocation, with intentionally crippled, underperforming and indicted State Board of Internal Revenue contributing very negligible).

Then came the mother of all foreign loans in the history of Kano State by the same Ganduje’s Administration from China Exim Bank of $1,850,839,098.00 Billion US Dollars ( Equivalent to #718,197,382,581.002Billions at the official exchange rate of #388.0388:$1) signed in 2016, which the State Government now claimed to review downward to €684,100,100.00 Million Euros (Equivalent to #302,006,250,646.5Billion at the official exchange rate of #441.465:€1), the loan as reported is for light rail construction within the State capital to CRCC( China Railway construction company).

No cogent reason was however advanced for this downward review which makes the entire deal even more suspicious.

Debt not budgeted for and which the State economy cannot fully service, aimed at bogus and unrealistic ventures like the light rail, is a big step towards mortgaging the future of Kano citizens. Kano State, With an average monthly federal allocation and average State monthly revenue collection of #6.8billion and #1.3Billion respectively (sources ~ National Bureau of Statistics), servicing loans of $2billion US Dollars($1.8B+$200M)and €64.5million Euros (#824,288,635,081Billion)by the State is NOT REALISTIC. (Local loans of #78,000,000,000Billion for Salary advance, Educational development and Social infrastructure from Banks not added).

Added to the above, the unfortunate things about this rail loan are:

 

 

(1)REPUTATION, the company CRCC( China Railway Construction Company)with which Kano State Government signed the light rail contract, was among the 13 companies blacklisted for unethical and corrupt practices by World Bank and African Development Bank AfDB (source Premium Times Monday, July 27th, 2020, THE DAY Newspaper 25th August 2019).

(2)NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (NASS) FINDINGS, The recent findings by the National Assembly that contract agreements signed with Chinese companies have in them certain obscure clauses leading to enslavement.(3)CAPACITY, this same company signed a 24.5km light rail contract in 2009 with Lagos State Government, this is the eleventh year (11)and it’s still ongoing, comparatively ours(74.5km) will take a minimum of thirty years (30)to be completed.

(4) COST, In 2017 the Governments of Ethiopia and Djibouti signed a contract for the construction of a standard gauge heavy rail line with 25 stations from Addis Ababa to Djibouti, a distance of 759km, cost, $3.518billion.($4.6million per kilometer)The rail has a total capacity of 24.9million tones of freight annually.

Recently in Nigeria, the Federal Government signed a railway construction contract, Lagos to Kano 980.3km and from Lagos to Calabar 781.5km total distance of 1761.8km at the cost of $19.4Billion. If Lagos to Ibadan, a distance of 132.6km costs $1.49Billion, WHY SHOULD 74.5KM FOR KANO STATE COSTS $1.85BILLION? Who will benefit more from this, CRCC, Exim Bank, or the people of Kano State? Any serious government shouldn’t be more concerned about foreign debtors making profits on interest from the many-hued loans it collects from them rather than the welfare and future of its citizens.

Today, against the well-meaning advice from men and women of integrity, professionals with track records of excellent achievements recognized worldwide; Kano citizens, their way of life, their traditions, their economies, their very freedom, that of their children and great-grandchildren, came under serious attacks through series of deliberate, questionable, deadly, foreign loans that came with huge interest and outrageous consultancy fees aimed to “execute” unjustified white elephant projects at an extremely high cost with a questionable timeline of completion the effect of which cannot be seen anywhere and which if not properly checked will surely turn us to slaves in our fathers land to the very extent that WE CAN’T BREATH.

If however there is any consolation, it is to the effect that a day will come sooner than later. And Governor Ganduje will be fully held to account for all his actions.

Umar Haruna Doguwa is a former Chairman of All Progressives Congress in Kano

Opinion

Kano APC Youth Coalition, Nasir Ja’o’ji and Party Survival

Published

on

 

By Abba Anwar

At cursory look of the title of this piece, what readily comes to mind, is the existing relationship between Kano APC Youth Coalition and Nasir Bala Ja’o’ji, in APC realignment process or procedure. This really captures the picture clearly from the surface. But there is more to it.

Kano APC Youth Coalition came into being more as a one-man-show, probably self-styled and crafty moved. But subsequent engagements of the Coalition, proves otherwise. Some people thought, the Coalition came handy canvassing for primary support for some quasi – politicians, unproductive as they appear, who always hide behind the scene and make a cover under good image of the party leadership at all levels.

Many people, including me, thought this Coalition under Adamu Unguwar Gini, would operate in desperation, under the guise of recuperating party youth into one basket for misleading purpose. As some elders, would-be-elders and self – acclaimed elders operate from clandestine position.

For sure the Coalition, prepared before its debut. Party elders, leaders and other stakeholders were contacted for direction and guide. This, I was not told, but I observed. I understand this by looking at its growing process. I equally understood that, the leadership of the Coalition was one time tilted towards particular side of the prism. But experience and good intention, in my view, necessitated for spreading the leadership into all sections of the state.

#

It is this strategy, among others, that gave individuals like Hon Nasir Bala Ja’o’ji, to see reason in aiding the movement. Though he is the Zonal Leader of the movement, from Kano Central. But his contribution towards having effective and efficient implementation of the core central objectives of the group, that is making the party stronger and domineering at all levels, gives him the courage to be one of the principal stakeholders.

The recently announced donation of Eighty Eight Million Naira (N88m) to the Coalition for the 44 local governments tour and empowerment of 100 people from each local government, says a lot in his enduring commitment to the expansion and making the party strong enough to compete comfortably come 2027, at both state and national elections.

The proposed local governments tour and empowerment programme scheduled for time to come, is an important pointer to the fact that, this Coalition has very strong and fearless individuals that are ready to sacrifice their time, energy and resources towards political alignment and realignment within the party structure.

People like Musaddique Wada Waziri, Malam Abdussalam Ishaq (Kumbotso), Umar Maiwayo Rimingado, my younger brother Inyass Habibu, Ibrahim Danyaro, Jijitar, Abubakar Indabawa, former Vice Chairman, Warawa, Dini Manchester Kankarofi, Abubakar Aminu, Hon Barwa, Sani Gilashi, Danfillo, Idris Zango, among many others, are playing very critical role in strengthening the grip of the party across the state and the nation at large.

One interesting thing about this combination is, here are important actors, who, for strategic reason, come from all “sides” of the party stalwarts. Party stalwarts because they are the shining stars of the party in the state.

Stars like Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, former Deputy Governor and Gubernatorial Candidate for 2023 election, HE Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, former Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs and Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate for 2023 election, HE Murtala Sule Garo, Hon Abubakar Kabir Bichi, among others.

But all the Stars above lineup behind our Flagship, the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON.

After critical review of the intention of the Coalition, Nasir Ja’o’ji comes to believe that, this Coalition means well for the party. And should therefore be facelifted, encouraged, guided and supported. After believing that, the Unguwar Gini led group, “… belongs to everybody and does not belong to anybody…”, Ja’o’ji made it compulsory to always give a helping hand to the group. More importantly, since the Coalition means genuine support for the party at all levels.

Let me still insist that, if Ja’o’ji a political appointee under President Tinubu, as a member Governing Council, of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum, Yobe State, can do this, contributing N88m, I’m sure other political appointees under the same administration can also replicate.

Because supporting Coalition in the same pace and manner, equals to supporting the party, the National Chairman, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the same time. In my view therefore, Ja’o’ji apart from being a pacesetter among all political appointees from Kano, he is genuinely a firm believer of APC programmes and policies.

My appeal is for the National Chairman of the party, Baba Ganduje, and the Tinubu led administration, to kindly see reason for continued support for the Coalition and similar ones across all the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

As Unguwar Gini model shows in Kano, Coalition of this nature is not taking away any responsibility of party leadership. We can see how harmonious is the relationship between APC Youth Coalition and state leadership of the party, under Prince Abdullahi Abbas. Another pillar of great substance.

Neutrality of this Coalition, in my own understanding, is clearly manifested in how our shining stars give helping hands to the movement. They are eager to give resources and moral support. It is indeed the neutral posture that gives Ja’o’ji the strength to be of that magnitude.

Anwar, was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com

Continue Reading

Opinion

Open Letter to the Former Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development

Published

on

 

Abba Dukawa

As Muslims, we believe in Al-Qadar, the concept of Divine Decree or predestination. This pillar of faith reminds us that everything, good or bad, comes from Allah. We trust in Allah’s wisdom, love, and plan, acknowledging that our lifespan, deeds, and circumstances are recorded in the Lauhul-Mahfuz.

In light of your recent dismissal, I’m concerned that your public statements blaming certain individuals for your removal contradict this fundamental Islamic principle.

You admitted President Bola Tinubu explained your removal was due to the need to balance Kano State’s political representation. Quoting you: “I was surprised, as I wasn’t found guilty of wrongdoing or poor performance… Kano North was overloaded with political officers, hence the need to strike a balance.”

I urge you to reflect on Quran 2:286, “Allah does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear,” and Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 26, “Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, gives the kingdom to whom He will, and takes the kingdom from whom He will.”

#

Your rise from local government chairman to deputy governor and minister was Allah’s will. Similarly, your dismissal is part of Allah’s plan.

I caution against desperation and blaming others. Instead, trust Allah’s wisdom and providence.

As a Muslim, it’s inconsistent to think anyone can alter Allah’s plan for you. I believe those close to you are misleading you by allowing you to publicly blame others for your dismissal as Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development. It’s unwise to grant interviews after being relieved of duty, as it comes across as desperate—and your media handlers are equally at fault for permitting it.

Why have the rest of the ministers who were equally sacked remained silent? Why are you the only one expressing dismay for being relieved?

Dukawa writes from Abuja and can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com

 

Continue Reading

Opinion

Sokoto:Sen. Wamakko’s 9 Years Of “Poor” Representation In The Senate

Published

on

 

Sokoto is known for leadership and where religious knowledge is deep-rooted. So, leaders from the Caliphate are well respected and honour by people from other parts of the country. The reason is clear, Sokoto is the seat of Caliphate that produced great leaders and Islamic scholars of high repute.

So, nobody expects less when it comes to leadership in the state, but if you are a keen observer and follower of activities in Nigeria, you would wonder if the Sokoto they are talking about today, have any link with the activities of the great leaders and scholars that were in charge of Sokoto of years back. Certainly, not, because the kind of leadership is not the same, today its political leadership and followers of Nigerian politics know that, the present day politics can’t provide the kind of leadership the Sokoto of the past provided.

Analysts questioned the negative trend ascribed to Sokoto state. They asked several questions including but not limited to how can the great Sokoto state be rated among the educationally backward states in Nigeria? Why should Sokoto be rated among the poorest state in Nigeria? They are worried that it is not acceptable to count Sokoto state among states with negative statistics on child and maternal health; malnutrition should not be an issue in Sokoto. In fact Sokoto should not be among the state that should be faced with insecurity challenges.

But all these and more are prevalent challenges in Sokoto state and this call to question the kind of leadership the political class in the state are providing. For those who are concern about the happenings in the state, are begining to doubt all the positive publicities some top politicians in the state are enjoying for years.

One politician in the state that fortune has smiled on since the inception of this political dispensation in 1999 is Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, he has been around for so many years, from the grassroots to the mainstream politics of the state Wamakko has been at the forefront of leadership in the state. He was deputy governor for 7 years, governor for eight years and now Senator for nine years.

#

Wamakko enjoyed positive publications as a governor and had some landmark achievements ascribed to his name. He was seen as one of the performing governor in the state. Even though critics and analysts have contrary opinions. They said in terms of impact and cost analysis of some of his projects and or their lifespan/durability, Wamakko’s tenure is more of a disservice to the people of Sokoto than a blessing.

To buttress their argument, the critics and analysts, drew the attention of people of Sokoto to compare what his predecessor Sen. Ibrahim Lamido has done in terms of quality, durability and relevance to the general wellbeing of Sokoto people and the plethora of substandard projects Wamakko littered Sokoto with.

They further argued that to assess the quality and sincerity of Wamakko as a leader, his nine years as a senator should be critically scrutinized and the result of the findings be made public for all to judge. According to the analysts, Wamakko has not represented his people well. As a Senator, they said, he has held privileged committees that should be beneficial to the entire Sokoto, but no soul aside members of his inner circle that has benefitted from his senatorship seat.

They explained that the years of neglect of local governments like Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Silame is the obvious reason why the Lakurawa terrorists group existed in the area for over 8 years unnoticed by the Nigeria government.

Sokoto North senatorial district comprises of Sokoto North and Sokoto South, Wamakko, Kware, Binji, Silame, Gudu and Tangaza, you go round these local government areas and point to one particular thing the senator has done for members of the senatorial district.

Yes the eastern senatorial district of Sokoto is facing serious security threat in the last seven years, and this has affected socioeconomic activities, which has increased the level of poverty in the region. However, for the last 17 months, things have began to change for better. Purposeful leadership and deliberate actions to change the fact of things can be witnessed.

The purposeful leadership of senator Ibrahim Lamido and deliberate attempt to find a lasting solution to the many challenges affecting the region are so glaring for all to see. For instance, the deliberate investment in education of youth from the region is one sure way of liberating the region from the grip of unscrupulous elements taking advantage of poor level of education in the area to recruit terrorists.

In an unprecedented move and boldness to confront the deep rooted challenges of poor quality of education, Sen. Lamido has sponsored about 50 youth from the zone to study in various fields of human endeavours in India. This is in addition to many interventions in the education sub-sector from the senator, who out concern to the education of youth, declared war against poor education in the region.

This is not happening in any of the senator districts of Sokoto including Sokoto central where Sen. Wamakko spent 9 years representing his constituents in the Red Chamber. It has never happened, it is not happening and I am not sure if there is any plan to do anything like this by the two other senators for the teeming youth in their respective zones. All the eight local government areas of the senatorial district need education intervention including the two metropolitan, but nothing close to this has ever happened. Why won’t Sokoto be rated as educationally backward state when leaders don’t see the need to invest in education of the teeming youth?

Due to the security challenges, Sokoto state is faced with a lot of humanitarian challenges as a result of banditry attacks. And Sen. Lamido has responded well to these challenges. He did not stopped at distribution of relief materials and visitation of victims of banditry attacks, rather engaged in a very robust package of intervention where over a hundred of widows were empowered with N250,000 each to engage in micro and small businesses so as to become self-reliant.

This is done, to facilitate the resuscitation of the economic activities of eastern senatorial district that has suffered from bandits attacks and Sen. Lamido is doing all these from the point of knowledge, that no nation can survive insurrection if it’s people are economically incapacitated.

In the entire nine years of Sen. Wamakko, nobody can provide the record that he has done this kind of gesture. Nobody is talking about giving rice and clothing materials to widows and orphans. Nobody is talking of photoshoot with people who genuinely need humanitarian assistance, but leaders are taking pictures to further exploit people in need of assistance.

Sen. Lamido’s contributions in fighting insecurity in the eastern part of Sokoto if replicated by other senators in the state, nobody would be talking about the Lakurawa terrorists group in Sokoto. Sen. Lamido had from time to time assist communities’ efforts towards ending insecurity. In fact, with permission by the federal security agencies, Sen. Lamido funded the civilian JTF to support the mainstream security personnel in fighting the terrorists operating in the zone. This is in addition to many efforts that can’t be express in black and white due to their sensitive nature all in a bid to restore peace and normalcy in his region.

Such exemplary leadership is lacking in other parts of the state including in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Gudu Tangaza Binji, Wamakko, Silame and Kware where Senator Wamakko is representing.

Needless to engage in lengthy write up, if Sen. Wamakko in his 9 years did 10% of what Sen. Lamido has done in 17 months in fight insecurity, the Lakurawa terrorists group wouldn’t have penetrated into Nigeria.

The security challenges in the eastern part of Sokoto is receiving the adequate attention of Sen. Lamido. Beside his contributions in fighting banditry, the senator he has equally provided many communities with good drinking water, relief materials and other supports to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with a view to making their better.

Signed:
Concern Sokoto State Progressive Mind.
Convener

Continue Reading

Trending