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Kano's Empty Pride By Kabiru Tsakuwa
For a number of reasons, a great number of Kanawa must have felt slighted after going through a write-up captioned: Kano’s Empty Pride which appeared in the daily trust of 12th August, 2011. But with hindsight, I believe those genuinely disturbed by the ugly state of affairs in the so-called Tumbin Giwa have seen the correct picture graphically and from unbiased perspectives. Honestly, having brushed aside my empty pride, and ponder critically at what the writer try to expound; I couldn’t agree more to that painful truth!
I think the writer want to awake us from deep slumber to the sordid reality of Kano, nay the country in general. That instead of living in the past, fantasizing about lost glories; we should begin to tell ourselves the bitter truth. We should accept reality of the situation in Kano and stop being unnecessarily paranoid; perhaps we may chart a new course into the future at least for the sake of posterities!
So, taking a look at Kano’s economy; the decline becomes noticeable since the eighties due partly to internal forces and partly to external interference. An average Bakano that used to be hard working, resourceful, enterprising, adventurous and full of mercantile spirit in the past; rare qualities that used to set him apart before were no longer tenable. Today, he is pitifully at the mercy of government patronage without which his life will be gravely imperilled.
Some are wont to blame unfavorable economic policies of the federal government as being responsible for aggravating the economic woes afflicting Kano; citing the deindustrialization process of the north by Obasanjo; but in as much as Obasanjo worked harder to truncate the economy of the north, the people equally share in the blame for reason of ultra conservatism, and strong aversion to imbibing new ideas!
For example, in this knowledge based era, instead of investing in Agriculture and ICT, and opening up small, medium and large scale manufacturing concern, they only compete in building corner shops at every available space within the metropolis!
And Contrary to the much hyped political sophistication of Kanawa, the idea was nothing but a myth. Yes, where was the sophistication when political leaders can not be elected and/or rejected on the basis of sound pedigree and excellent record of performance?
Is it sophistication that for fear of electoral backlash in subsequent elections, Kano state government has so far refused to tax a potential gold mine drivable from the over two million certified Okada Riders in the state. I believe, the much celebrated Fashola of Lagos whom Kwankwaso purport to copy could not have transformed Lagos without adequate internally generate revenue (IGR) which is by the way, allow to fritter away on the alter of political expediencies!
On assumption, Fashola hit the ground running. Taxing every taxable venture and setting machineries in motion for the overall transformation of Lagos regardless of whose ox is gored. And in 2011, the political sophistry of Lagosian came into play AND FASHOLA WAS RE-ELECTED OVERWHELMINGLY BASED ON PERFORMANCE ALONE! Could that be possible in Kano with all the hype about fake political sophistication?
Candidly speaking, without change in values perceptions, no meaningful development could be recorded. For instance, through BTR, transportation in Lagos is now well grounded and regulated in contrast to Kano where chaotic transport sector has so far defied solution. Movement within the city a nightmare; and the people are not ready to obey simple transport’s regulations due largely to lack of enforcement in order not to jeopardize future electoral fortunes!
In the eighties, late governor Rimi of blessed memory attempted what was clearly a revolutionary effort to modernize the business climate of Kano through the ambitious and visionary development of new ultra modern markets to decongest Kano. But the effort was scuttled out of Kano’s primitive and diabolic culture of resisting every conceivable change. Similar attempt was made by Former governor Shekarau in the development of Kanawa Trade Center via public private partnership (PPP), but as at today, such life transforming project has characteristically remain in limbo.
How the present chaotic transport quagmire besetting the state would be addressed without relocating the three major markets to a more auspicious spaces still begs for an answer.
Today, Kano has degenerated into what could best be described as a mega-slum. No proper planning (Awun Igiyya). Even the so called GRAs were bastardized by successive governments. An issue of adherence to master plan does not even arise. Many portion of the mega-slum that needs to be demolish to give way for redesigning and expansion into multi carriage ways lay fallow. And afraid of the people’s fury, no successive government has been able to muster the much needed political will to face the gauntlet and carryout drastic reforms; simply because, retrogressive Kanawa (without apology) will oppose the move!
Now the poser: Could Kwankwaso dare demolished Kofar Dan-Agundi to emir’s palace road, Kofar Wambai to Goron Dutse, or Gidan Shettima to Mambayya house among others to open up the city? I doubt much.
To make matter worse, instead of continuity, Kano government is busy settling scores, and fighting perceived enemies left, right and center, while at the same time taking the new mantra of arbitrariness to new height as amplified by the arrogation of maximum power to a mere political appointee over and above constitutionally recognized portfolios. How that would help take Kano to the next level remain to be seen.
Of necessity therefore, Kanawa should purge them selves of empty pride and unnecessary delusion about Kano’s past towering stature in the economic, social and political spheres in the country and face reality through shifting of ground and embracing modernization based on new thinking, and new attitudes and been readily receptive to change. But if they are not ready to make hard sacrifices and subscribe to progressive ideas; they should forgo development till thy kingdom come! |