The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Delay and deterioration

    Delay and deterioration

    Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road is in a worse state than it was in October last year when the Federal Government finally gave the Ogun State government permission to fix the road, which was categorised as a federal road. For years, the road had been in very bad shape, and overdue for reconstruction.

    An investigative report published in The Guardian on February 4 said: “It is sad to note that between October last year and now, the road has further degenerated.”

    This was unexpected. Indeed, it was disappointing. Minister of Works David Umahi, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on October 16 last year, said the state government had requested to be allowed to “do the road on their own.”  He announced that the state government had been permitted to “do it and toll it,” and there would be “no refunds” for the road reconstruction.

     At the time, the Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, said the state government “has been rehabilitating the road since 2019,” adding that “With the transfer done now, we are happy and ready to immediately take over the project and turn around the fortunes of the road.”

    Just before the announcement that the road had changed hands, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun had lamented its terrible condition. 

    Akpabio noted the extremely bad condition of the road when he visited the state to attend the grand finale of the Yewa Cultural Festival, and receive a traditional title, Aare Fiwagboye of Yewa land. According to him, he decided to pass through the Lagos-Abeokuta, Papalanto-Ilaro road where he spent about two hours in traffic on Papalanto-Ilaro road “because two tankers fell on the road.” He told the people at the event: “I really sympathise with you. I went through what you people are going through on a daily basis.” 

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    When the governor spoke, he also told a sad story, telling Akpabio that “it took me three hours to get here from Abeokuta. I am sure it took you just as much to get here from Lagos because of the deplorable state of Lagos-Abeokuta Road.”

    He pleaded for Akpabio’s intervention, saying, “Please help us with the Federal Government to transfer this road to us. This road is very key to our socio-economic economic development.”

    It was bad enough that the road was abandoned for so long by the Federal Government, which worsened its condition.  It is worse that more than three months after the federal authorities allowed the state government to fix the road, the condition of the road was reported to have worsened. 

    Why the delay in fixing the road? The Ogun State government has a lot of explaining to do.

    First published January 6, 2024

  • Before we crucify Finidi George

    Before we crucify Finidi George

    • By Kenechukwu Aguolu

    Sir: Before we crucify Finidi George, it’s important to understand that it takes time for a new coach to instil their philosophy into a team. The match against Benin Republic was Finidi George’s fourth match in charge and his second competitive game with the Super Eagles. It’s also crucial to remember that three key players—Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, and William Troost-Ekong—were unavailable. Many teams would struggle without such pivotal players.

    Critics argue that Finidi George should have done better, especially since he inherited a team that reached the finals of the African Nations Cup. There was arguably no need to overhaul the philosophy and players of a winning team, particularly given the limited time available. Under Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles frequently employed a 3-4-3 formation, which relied on three core defenders and two wing-backs, making the team defensively solid as the wing-backs joined the defense when needed. This formation made the Super Eagles look compact and organized throughout most of the tournament.

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    However, Finidi George seems to prefer a 4-3-3 formation, which hasn’t worked well for the team. Defensively, the team has appeared vulnerable. One might question why he rushed Wilfred Ndidi back into the team. Although Ndidi is an excellent player, integrating him gradually would have been wise to avoid disrupting the team’s rhythm. Frank Onyeka performed admirably at the Nations Cup, and a sudden change might have unsettled the midfield dynamics.

    Given his limited time with the team, Finidi George might have benefitted from a more conservative approach, maintaining most of the players and the team’s previous philosophy, while making gradual, necessary changes. Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup are diminishing, and many calling for Finidi’s dismissal. However, before passing judgment, we should consider that this is only his second competitive match in charge, and he has been without three key players. It’s a challenging situation for any coach. Patience might be warranted before the Nigerian Football Federation  takes any drastic decisions.

     •Kenechukwu Aguolu,

    <kenerek1@gmail.com>

  • Unlocking the Niger Delta for national development

    Unlocking the Niger Delta for national development

    • By George Kerley

    Sir: The federal government recently voiced concerns over the significant impact of lower crude oil production volumes on its revenues, crucial for achieving the ambitious N19 trillion revenue projections for the 2024 budget.

    This concern was highlighted in the Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan (ASAP), developed by the Economic Management Team (EMT) Emergency Task Force and presented by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, on June 5.

    The federal government’s ability to meet the budgeted revenue, which aims for a 77.4% increase from the 2023 actuals, is at risk. Current oil production stands at 1.4 million barrels per day (mbpd), significantly below the 1.78 mbpd assumption and the OPEC quota of 1.5 mbpd. This 27% shortfall poses a severe threat to the budget’s feasibility.

    Compounding this issue is the historical and ongoing loss of crude oil. According to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Nigeria lost over 600 million barrels of crude oil, worth more than $46 billion, between 2009 and 2020.

    In 2016 alone the country lost about 106 million barrels worth over $4 billion. This trend continues, exacerbating the revenue challenges.

    The persistent challenges in the Niger Delta stem from historical neglect and inadequate engagement with the oil-producing communities. Rather than merely pacifying politicians, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive and community-focused strategy. Here are the key steps the federal government should take to unlock the potential of the Niger Delta and secure the funds necessary for the national budget:

    Pacify oil producing communities. Ensuring peace and stability in the oil-producing regions is crucial. This involves addressing the grievances of these communities through meaningful dialogue and tangible benefits.

    Improve Presidential Intervention Initiatives. Current initiatives, such as installing solar street lights across townships and selected communities, are commendable but insufficient. A more impactful approach would be to empower communities to generate they need to accelerate their own economic transformation. This not only provides a sustainable energy source but also fosters economic self-reliance.

    Enhance Community Engagement. Active and continuous engagement with the communities is essential. This means involving community members in decision-making processes and ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

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    Foster Community Participation. Encouraging active participation of the communities in achieving regional and national goals is crucial. This involves creating opportunities for local employment, business development, and ensuring that the benefits of oil production are felt locally.

    Appoint Effective Leaders. The appointment of “rainmakers” – individuals who can drive the president’s ambitious objectives for regional and national growth – is essential. These should be process-savvy and resonant leaders, not just politicians, who can effectively bridge the gap between the government and the communities.

    If the Tinubu administration had started by interrogating the NEITI Report on Crude Theft, it would have enabled the government to understand the nature, history, and pattern of crude theft. This understanding would have allowed the administration to promptly identify high-risk areas and communities prone to consistent loss of large volumes of crude oil each month.

    By monitoring these communities and designing solutions to address the situation, the government could have significantly reduced crude theft and resource loss. This would have involved using presidential intervention tools, such as the NDDC, to deepen engagement with high-risk communities and ensure they participate in achieving national goals and objectives.

    Unlocking the potential of the Niger Delta is pivotal for Nigeria to meet its budgetary goals and accelerate national economic transformation.

    •George Kerley,

    Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

  • Eternal echoes of June 12: Nigeria’s unfinished symphony

    Eternal echoes of June 12: Nigeria’s unfinished symphony

    • By Comrade Jude Obuseh

    Sir: Today, Nigerians gather to celebrate Democracy Day, a holiday heavy with history and hope. It was on June 12, 1993, that our nation witnessed an election like no other—a beacon of possibility, where Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a Muslim from the south, was poised to lead. That moment promised to bridge the divides of ethnicity and religion that had long plagued Nigeria. But this promise was brutally snatched away when the jackboot regime of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (aka IBB) annulled the results, extinguishing the dreams of the emergence of a truly democratic and united Nigeria in one swift bloody stroke.

    Consequently, June 12 became more than just a date. It morphed into a symbol of a democracy betrayed, igniting years of tireless activism. The struggle to reclaim our nation from the grip of authoritarian rule was long and arduous, eventually leading to the return of civilian governance on May 29, 1999. In 2018, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led civilian government moved Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12, in honour of the spirit of that fateful day and the resilience of Nigerians who fought for their right to self-determination.

    As we stand on the threshold of another Democracy Day, we must ask ourselves: Have we truly embraced the ideals that June 12 represents? Corruption continues to weave its insidious web through the fabric of our society, stealing from the mouths of the hungry and the hands of the industrious. The dream of a prosperous Nigeria feels distant, overshadowed by leaders who were once heralded as champions of democracy but now engage in the very vices they once condemned.

    Ethnic tensions, like dormant embers, flare up into raging fires, threatening to consume the fragile peace we hold. These tensions are stoked by political opportunism and the relentless struggle for resources, leaving communities divided and mistrustful. The vision of a united Nigeria, one where every citizen feels a part of the national tapestry, remains elusive.

    Social injustice casts a long shadow over our nation. Inequality in wealth, education, and healthcare starkly contrasts with the ideals we celebrate. The chasm between the rich and poor grows wider, and the promise of a just and equitable society is a distant echo for many.

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    More painful and frustrating is the fact that some lieutenants of the June 12 struggle have abandoned their advocacy and aligned themselves with the oppressors they once fought against.

    June 12 should be more than a remembrance; it should be a day of profound reflection. We must honour those who sacrificed for our democracy, but we must also confront the reality of how far we still have to go. It is within our power, as citizens, to bridge this gap. Let us recommit ourselves to the principles of June 12—free and fair elections, a unified nation, and a government that truly serves its people. Our voices must rise together, demanding accountability, transparency, and justice from our leaders.

    June 12 is not just a celebration; it is a clarion call to action. Together, we can forge the Nigeria we dream of—a Nigeria where democracy is not just an aspiration but a lived reality. As we reflect on the unfulfilled promises of June 12, let us remember that the power to change our nation lies in our hands.

    We must not forget the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy, nor the ideals they championed. Each step we take towards a more transparent, equitable, and just Nigeria is a step towards honouring their legacy. Let June 12 be a reminder that our journey is far from over, and it is up to us to ensure that the symphony of our nation reaches its full crescendo.

    Let us rise, united and resolute, to fulfil the promise of June 12. Let our actions speak louder than words, and let our commitment to democracy be unwavering. The future of Nigeria is ours to shape.

    •Comrade Jude Obuseh,

    syncado2006@yahoo.com

  • Civil Service and wage conundrum

    Civil Service and wage conundrum

    Sir: The civil service- both at the federal and state levels- play pivotal and significant roles in the formation of different government policies and the execution of them. The civil service, indisputably, is the fulcrum or engine room of government. An efficient civil service will drive developmental initiatives in a country. That is the chief reason why the remuneration, promotion, recruitment, and training and re-training of civil servants should not be treated with levity by both the federal and state governments.

    A civil service that is disabled through the government’s negligence and indifference cannot achieve its objectives; neither can it be the fulcrum or engine room of the government. Nigeria’s underdevelopment is partly caused by the inefficiency of the civil service and the corruption inherent in its civil service both at the federal and state levels.

    Civil servants, who receive meagre salaries, which make them live on the margins of society, cannot perform their duties expertly and efficiently. That civil servants in Nigeria are treated badly is an incontestable fact. In some states, civil servants are paid their salaries based on the whims and caprices of states governors.

    Consequently, the civil service has become the dumping grounds for unpatriotic, undedicated, disloyal, and half-baked graduates, who could not find plum jobs in banks, multinational companies, and other reputable organizations.

    Now, labour leaders and the government are fighting over what will be the new minimum wage for workers. Both parties will, no doubt, reach a consensus on the matter. However, the problem lies in the fact that many states in Nigeria are too financially emasculated to continuously pay the huge wage bills that will result from the increment on workers’ salaries.

    Yet, incredibly, and ironically, too, our political leaders in both the federal and legislative arms of government earn jumbo salaries, although our economy is in the woods. While they live in opulence, millions of Nigerians are trapped in multidimensional poverty. Each night, they go to bed on empty stomachs, but our political leaders are busy dipping their hands in our exchequer to line their pockets.

    When civil servants are paid living wages, bright minds will find civil service jobs attractive. And they will join it. We should know that only brilliant and well-educated civil servants can help to formulate workable governmental policies, the implementation of which will leapfrog our economy to the top and place our country on the path of irreversible technological growth and rapid industrialization.

    •Chiedu Uche OkoyeUruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State.

  • Benefits of increased minimum wage

    Benefits of increased minimum wage

    Sir: Increasing the national minimum wage should be viewed as a strategic decision with numerous benefits. Given the widespread issue of underpayment of workers, a thoughtful raise in the minimum wage would bring about extensive positive benefits that outweigh any potential drawbacks.  It also reinforces a fundamental principle: the right of workers to receive fair wages. Embracing this perspective highlights economic wisdom and demonstrates a commitment to fairness and societal progress.

    A key benefit of increasing the minimum wage is the potential boost in employee motivation and productivity. Reasonable wages motivate employees, enhancing their commitment to their jobs and increasing their productivity and innovativeness. Higher wages reduce employee turnover, lowering recruitment and training costs, and fostering a more experienced and skilled workforce. This increase in productivity can contribute significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the long run.

    One of the major issues facing Nigerian workers today is low purchasing power, which has led to a decrease in demand for goods and services. This demand reduction negatively impacts the turnover and profitability of many companies. If this trend continues, some companies might be forced to close down or lay off staff to stay afloat. An increased minimum wage would enhance the purchasing power of employees, leading to higher demand for products and services a basic item like sachet water, which costs N50, has seen reduced demand as people choose to boil and filter their tap water. Better wages will stimulate economic activity thereby boosting sales and profitability for businesses.

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    An increased minimum wage will contribute to reducing insecurity and fraud in Nigeria. The fraud triangle theory identifies pressure as one of the main factors driving people to commit fraudulent activities. Workers who earn insufficient wages may be pressured into criminal behaviour to make ends meet. Similarly, children from financially strained families might be forced to fend for themselves at an early age, increasing their risk of engaging in criminal activities. With a reasonable minimum wage, the pressure on families would be alleviated, reducing the incentive to engage in crime. Furthermore, as businesses thrive with increased consumer spending, business owners will have more resources to support their families, further contributing to social stability.

    Better wages improve workers’ standard of living, thereby enhancing life expectancy.  Additionally, poorly paid individuals are less likely to afford proper healthcare. In Nigeria, many lack health insurance, and even among the insured, dissatisfaction with service delivery is common. With higher wages, individuals can better afford healthcare services, resulting in improved health outcomes and prolonged life expectancy

    The government stands to benefit from an increased minimum wage through higher tax revenues generated by increased economic activity. As businesses expand and profitability improves, tax contributions from corporate income tax, value-added tax, and personal income tax are likely to rise. Additionally, a healthier and more financially stable workforce can reduce the government’s expenditure on social welfare programs.

    Some argue that increasing the minimum wage could lead to wage-push or cost-push inflation, resulting in higher prices for goods and services. However, it is important to note that due to industrialization and technological advancements, labour costs often constitute a relatively small fraction of the cost of goods and services in many companies. Moreover, the improvement in workers’ productivity resulting from higher wages will lead to greater labour efficiency; which will offset some of the increased costs. Therefore, the inflationary impact may be less significant than feared.

    Indeed, while acknowledging the inevitable rise in operating costs for businesses, it’s essential to recognize that the impact will be more pronounced on smaller enterprises unable to capitalize fully on economies of scale. Initially, such an increase may precipitate job losses as businesses strive to adapt to the change. However, in the long run, as productivity escalates and consumer spending surges from the augmented purchasing power stemming from higher wages, businesses may be compelled to expand their workforce to meet escalating demand. This cyclical effect has the potential to stimulate job creation and fuel economic growth, underscoring the transformative power of strategic wage adjustments.

    •Kenechukwu Aguolu FCA, Abuja.

  • LG autonomy; lifeboat for Nigeria’s sinking boat

    LG autonomy; lifeboat for Nigeria’s sinking boat

    Sir: The dragging of the 36 state governors to the Supreme Court by the federal government in the bid to extricate the 774 local governments from suffocation represents a ray of hope for ordinary Nigerians and a laudable effort for consolidating the country’s quadriplegic democracy. This effort will definitely open up an opportunity for the tier of the government to have access to the direct transfer of their allocated funds from the federation account as stipulated in the constitution.

    It is undeniable that the twin evils of escalating poverty and spiralling insecurity across the country can only be addressed when the long-awaited dream of local governments’ full autonomy becomes a reality. Poor Nigerians are looking forward to having the closest listening ears of those in charge at the level to their complaints.

    Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Bello Shehu was recently quoted to have said: “Full autonomy will engender good governance, transparency and accountability at the local level. Security challenges like banditry, kidnappings, terrorism, electoral violence, etc., would be reduced to the barest minimum if the quantum of funds meant for local governments is channelled towards rural development”.

    One could not agree more.

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    According to the recent World Bank data, 89.8 million Nigerians were poor as of the beginning of this year. It added that an additional four million Nigerians became poor during the year, raising the figure to 93.8million. It also projected that the number of poor Nigerians will rise to 100.9 million if urgent steps are not taken to address the fallouts of the removal of fuel subsidy.

    When receiving members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, last year in Lagos, President Bola Tinubu had said: “I am committed to supporting a strong and ideologically-determined democracy that is progressive, inclusive, and focused on eliminating poverty while providing quality education for our children’’.

    Surely, Mr President’s vision of eradicating poverty on the land and throwing his weight behind goal four of the UN’ s Sustainable Development Goals which aims to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030, will never be accomplished without actualising full autonomy of the local governments.

    Today, the top remedy for the pressing issue of increasing out-of-school children, which is among the major problems constituting a very serious threat to the national security and future stability of the country, is ensuring that the local government have the resources needed to address the matter of the estimated15 million out-of-school children roaming the streets of the country. If urgent action is not taken, when these stranded starving children grow up, they may turn into anti-social elements. After all, the ancient Greek philosopher, scientist and polymath, Aristotle once said, “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime”. Because the local government councils are closest to the masses, any real development and ray of hope for poverty eradication could only be witnessed when this tier of government are allowed to stand on their feet.

    More than a mere constitutional imperative, it is also a matter of survival for the millions of impoverished Nigerians living in extreme poverty, severe hunger and fright. Some public commentators and analysts look upon it as the surest path to the resuscitation of the country’s ailing and comatose democracy.

    Mr President should move heaven and earth to accomplish this life-saving vision of rescuing Nigeria’s vulnerable population from the strangulation of state governments at the grassroots level. We urge our state governors and members of the legislature to find the empathy, understanding and discernment to allow this life-saving vision to come into being.

    •Mustapha Baba,Azare, Bauchi State.

  • Unburied hero

    Unburied hero

    It was reassuring that the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) responded positively to negative news about the inaction of the authorities, which has delayed the burial of the celebrated designer of Nigeria’s flag, Taiwo Akinkunmi, who died on August 29, 2023, aged 87. He remains unburied, 10 months after his exit.

    In a statement, NICO said it had “considered taking up a major role and responsibility in coordinating and collaborating with other agencies that may be necessary in giving a befitting burial to this fallen hero.” The agency described the national flag as “one of the greatest tangible heritages of this country.”

    A concerned group, Yoruba World Congress (YWC), UK, recently wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, saying Akinkunmi, known as ‘Mr Flag Man,’ “did his best for this country and his body should not be allowed to remain in the mortuary without attention and without a befitting burial.”

    Following his death, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had led a Federal Government delegation that paid a condolence visit to his family in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he was based, though he hailed from Abeokuta, Ogun State.  “He designed one of the most powerful symbols of our collective existence as a country and a nation,” the minister said at the time. Also, the Oyo State government had officially expressed its condolences in a letter to the family signed by Governor Seyi Makinde. The authorities gave the impression that they would be involved in his burial.

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    However, the public show of interest by the federal and state authorities has not resulted in expected action. According to YWC, the Akinkunmi family “had planned the burial for 7th and 8th of December 2023,” but “it was annulled by the Oyo State government on the grounds that there was no representation from the government to confirm the date chosen by the family.”

     The Oyo State government was said to have requested another date for his burial, and his family sent “April 10, 11 and 12 2024.”  “But this date has also lapsed as all attempts to get to the governor or his representatives were futile,” YWC observed.  Since his death, the group added, his family “made it known that they have been paying N2,000 daily as a mortuary bill without any support from the government.” The YWC, therefore, called on President Tinubu “to urgently look into this matter so that the family can bury their dead and be pacified.”

     Akinkunmi was in his early twenties, and a student in London, when he designed the national flag, after stumbling upon a newspaper advertisement calling for the submission of designs for the Nigerian flag ahead of the country’s independence from British rule in October 1960. He deserves a hero’s burial.

  • Unfinished tasks in Kogi rescue

    Unfinished tasks in Kogi rescue

    When a mission gets accomplished, it is rightly time for backslappings and shared commendations signalling curtains on that issue. Such was the mood that trailed the recent rescue of eight students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Kogi State, who were said to be the remainder of those abducted by suspected bandits some weeks ago. The students were rescued penultimate weekend from a Kwara State forest in an operation that involved collaboration by Kogi and Kwara governments with security operatives.

    Gun-wielding bandits had on 9th May stormed the Osara campus of the institution and abducted students studying in the lecture halls at evening for their imminent first semester examination. There was uncertainty about the number of students abducted. Kogi government, on 10th May, estimated that nine students were affected, but later reviewed the number to 14. On 13th May, seven students were reported rescued from a forest beside Obajana road, with another 14 rescued a week later, taking the tally to 21. The police confirmed the killing of two of the abducted students on 26th May.

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    Kogi government, early last week, announced the rescue of eight more students aged between 17 and 23 years. Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement, expressed the state government’s appreciation to the security services and all others who collaborated in effecting the rescue of the students, adding that Governor Usman Ododo had directed full support towards the recovery of the students and their parents. The statement thanked President Bola Tinubu for “directing the mobilization of resources to ensure the rescue of the kidnapped students,” and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for “his commitment to the release of the students and the general security of the state.” Among others, the statement also thanked Kwara State  Governor AbdulRahmam AbdulRazak for working with his Kogi counterpart on the rescue mission, as well as the security service chiefs and all security personnel who played a role in rescuing the students. “Now that the remaining students have been rescued, our administration will continue the drive to recalibrate our security architecture and pay uncompromising attention to the Safe School Initiative,” it added inter alia.

    But it shouldn’t yet be curtains on the abduction saga, as no mention was ever made of what happened to the bandits. Did they just melt away as the students were being rescued? It would be a gross security failing if none of these are brought to justice. Besides, Governor Ododo on the heels of the incident  alleged insider collaboration from within CUSTECH with the bandits, as installed surveillance cameras on the university premises were reportedly disabled in apparent anticipation of their strike. It can’t yet be case closed if such internal collaborators aren’t fished out.

  • Governor Buni and the Potiskum Modern Market

    Governor Buni and the Potiskum Modern Market

    Sir: It has been four long years since the foundation of the N2.6 billion Potiskum Modern Market, Trailer Park project was laid, and the people of Potiskum are still waiting for its completion. The project was touted as a game-changer for the local economy, and the people of Potiskum had high hopes that it would bring much-needed jobs and economic growth to the area. However, despite the initial promise and fanfare, the project has yet to make significant progress, and the state government seems to have paid little attention to it.

    At the time of inauguration, Governor Mai Mala Buni promised that the project would be completed within 12 months. This timeline was ambitious, but the people of Potiskum were willing to give the government the benefit of the doubt. Nonetheless, as the months turned into years, it became clear that the project was not a priority for the state government. The lack of progress on the project has been frustrating for the people of Potiskum, who are desperate for economic opportunities and jobs.

    The Potiskum Modern Market project was designed to provide a modern and conducive environment for traders and business owners to operate. It was expected to attract investors and stimulate economic growth in the region. However, four years on, the project remains stalled, leaving the people of Potiskum in limbo. The market is still in a state of disrepair, and business owners are struggling to make ends meet.

    In addition to the modern market, the governor also announced plans to construct a modern truck park in Potiskum in 2019. This project was expected to further boost the local economy and provide even more jobs for the people of Potiskum. Ye like the modern market project, the truck park project has made little or no progress since its inception. This lack of progress is not only frustrating for the people of Potiskum but also damaging to the local economy.

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    Potiskum is the most populous town in Yobe State and a major business hub. The majority of its inhabitants are business owners who are desperate for ways to enhance their businesses. The completion of the modern market and trailer park would have provided a much-needed boost to the local economy. However, the state government’s inaction on these projects has left the people of Potiskum feeling abandoned and neglected.

    The people of Potiskum are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress on these projects. They are tired of waiting for the government to fulfil its promises and are beginning to lose hope. The lack of economic opportunities and jobs has led to high levels of unemployment and poverty in the area. The people of Potiskum are desperate for a change, and they are looking to the state government to provide it.

    The state government’s inaction on these projects has eroded the trust and confidence of the people in the government’s ability to deliver on its promises. The people of Potiskum feel that the government has let them down and that their needs and concerns are not being taken seriously. This lack of trust and confidence has led to a sense of disillusionment and disengagement among the people of Potiskum.

    The completion of the Potiskum Modern Market and trailer park project is critical for the economic development of Yobe State. It has the potential to generate jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve the lives of the people of Potiskum. The project is not just a matter of infrastructure development; it is a matter of economic survival. The people of Potiskum are desperate for economic opportunities, and the state government has a responsibility to provide them.

    Therefore, the state government must take immediate action to complete these projects. The people of Potiskum have waited long enough, and it is time for the government to fulfil its promises and deliver on its commitments. The economic development of Yobe State depends on it. The state government must prioritize the needs of the people of Potiskum and take concrete steps to address their concerns.

    •Kasim Isa Muhammad,Potiskum, Yobe State.