|
Poverty in Kano: Height of Parental Negligence and Insensitivity By Saka Raji Audu
"It is better to be dumb than to lie"… Sayyidina Ali (RA).
I was not privileged to a series of questions by a BBC Hausa reporter monitored in Kano (August 4th, 2008), on the reason why there is a prevalence of the so called endemic poverty in the north in general and Kano in particular. I am not also aware of a certain political appointee of the state government that mentioned what Kabiru Inuwa Tsakuwa believed to be nothing but 'crass insensitivity and ignorance of the true situation of things!' So, I could not believe that any one could attribute the so called 'hunger and diseases ' to 'absence of energy and hopelessness.' This statement must have been mischievously and incorrectly quoted, as usual, by the reporter, to be able to achieve his diabolical motives. We are already familiar with this type of wish washy game of a man that never see good in any thing, unless he is involved.
The first research made to discover that north region was more affected by poverty than her southern counterpart was in 1990. Professor Soludo, the CBN governor stated this fact recently in Kaduna when he was addressing the issue of poverty in the north. Therefore, the fallacy of endemic poverty has been ravaging north in general and not Kano in particular for about thirteen (13) years before the present ANPP government in Kano was popularly elected into power. It is accepted that cancer-worm of corruptions among the people is one of the many other factors that cause poverty. If this negative assertion of Tsakuwa is any thing to go by, why then in spite of the heavy lootings perpetuated by some of the Southern Obasanjo boys in his government, the south is still behind the north in the poverty rating? So, what is actually the problem?
Naturally, failure of leadership to adequately stem the ugly tides bring general disconnect between the government and the masses. The truth is that, how many past leaders we have had in the various states of the northern region that have come without attending to the issue of poverty? For instance, we should not forget in hurry that Shehu Shagari ruled this country for four years but single industry was not established in Sokoto within that period. After Shagari, there were other northern leaders, both at state and national levels, that have come and gone, what did they do to alleviate poverty in the north? We should therefore understand that a little drop of water would have formed a might ocean for the north. Present is not complete until we refer to the past.
As for the issue of energy, the ANPP administration in Kano initiated the Independent Power Plant (IPP) project, a long term project in progress. The problems and closure of industries in Kano, like in any other part of the country, started in 1997 when the country joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It was in 2001 that many industries started to kowtow against the background of many odds and thousand of workers also began to lose their jobs. What was the effort made by the previous government of 1999 – 2003 to reverse the situation in her four years of administration? It is better to initiate a long term programme of action than not to think of any thing at all.
In addition to the IPP project the ANPP government is working hard on, the government of Kano had also cooperated with the customs to fight the smuggling through seizure of the contraband materials. Unfortunately the power of opposition that shielded a certain powerful Chief of smugglers could not allow the state government war on smuggling to succeed. Political differences were later used to nail the 'war' in its coffin. The ANPP government in Kano had to fall back on infrastructure maintenance such as roads leading to industrial nerve centre of the state. Bompai and Sharada roads were given face-lift.
The ANPP government has now taken over the repair of the Challawa Industrial Estate Road that had been neglected for years. These roads have been part of the industrial problems in the state. The problem of double taxation that had affected the Kano industries has also been put to rest by the state government. As for the IPP project, it doesn't matter how many years it will take to come up stream. The good thing is that action is taking place. So, it is better to take action than not to take action at all. After all, there is no hurry in life. We shall arrive at the Promised Land, because what would be, will be.
But the federal government is yet to attend to her own part of the bargaining such as inadequate power supply, smuggling that leads to invasion of Chinese goods into the Nigerian markets, non- availability of LPFO and the N70billion cotton loan promised by it that has not been fulfilled.
Since the previous administration did not devote one day to the problem of industries in Kano, why should some one in his right sense think that the present ANPP government should have devoted the entire five years to IPP project. No, there are other areas of concern to the masses. For Tsakuwa's information, it is an act of child abuse for the children sitting idly and waiting for some crumbs from people along Hausawa, Ribadu, Bawa, Lodge roads and Race-course streets. Those children and women came from neigbouring states to create unnecessary burden for Kano government. Are they not children of people or have they been sold to the public? Those children should have been at school to get the needed education so that poverty in the north will be reduced, now or in the future. If Tsakuwa had not gone to school, he wouldn't have been able to be wherever he is today. This is what we need for the children of the northern region to be able to stand on their feats. It is therefore an act of injustice to blame the past woes on present simply because of political differences.
Still, how did Tsakuwa know that Kano has the largest revenue base? Has Kano become a Niger-Delta where oil is in abundance? Truly, it is better to be dumb than tell lies. In any case, why should Kano use her revenue base to feed idly children and women neglected and abandoned by their unconcerned parents against using education to fortify them for the future? This reminds me of Idi Amin of Uganda era who, when confronted with 'no money in his country' by his Finance Minister, Idi Amin gave instruction for more money to be printed in circulation for use. Ha ha ha, you laugh?
On the issue of Fertilizer, Tsakuwa should have done well if he mentions some of the registered farmers that have not got fertilizer for their farms. This would have enabled the ANPP government to trace them and do the right thing. By choosing the option of speculation from that of cynicism will still not help him to achieve the negative agenda on ANPP government in Kano. At least, the people of Kano should thank God that Kano is blessed with enough rainfall this year to cushion Tsakuwa's problem of fertilizer. Manure could also be used as an added advantage. No matter what happen, by the power of Almighty God, Kano will not witness hunger, squalor, despair and want as being prophesied by Tsakuwa; alias Dangora just for reason that his master lost election in Kano, every one should go ablaze. Karya ne!
Finally, as Sayyidina Ali (RA) said, it is better for Tsakuwa to be dumb than telling lies and speculating what he cannot substantiate. "Wata rana sai labarai". The true sons and daughters of Kano are happy that ANPP government under the present leadership is daily touching their lives and they will continue to remain grateful to it, not minding whose ox is gored.
This article is in response to Kabiru Inuwa Tsakuwa's 'Endemic Poverty in Kano: Height of Official Insensitivity' posted on gamji website, www.gamji.com, of 20/08/2008. |