The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna

  • Kaduna’s untapped tourism potential

    Kaduna’s untapped tourism potential

    The Matsiriga Waterfall, which is about two kilometres off Kafanchan, has the potential to be a huge revenue earner for Kaduna State. The government, TONY AKOWE writes, will boost its revenue base if the waterfall is developed into a tourist site. 

    Residents of Kafanchan in Kaduna State believe that they are sitting on a goldmine. To them, the Matsiriga Waterfall is central to the economic and social development of the state, if the government recognises its tourism and revenue earning potential.

    As one approaches the waterfall which is about one kilometre from Kafanchan, one perceives loud sound from the fall. One also perceives sparkling bubbles of water flowing from atop hard rock and hitting hard at its base to form a pool that flows down the slope.

    Interestingly, the waterfall is not known to many of the residents, even though the village close to it is called Matsiriga. They are familiar with the name River Wonderful and speak glowingly about the mysteries surrounding it.

    The Matsiriga Waterfall is listed on the Kaduna Website as one of the many tourist sites in the state.

    Apart from a dilapidated and abandoned structure and a collapsed fence, there is nothing to suggest that such a place has the potential to yield millions of dollars annually for the state.

    The residents believe that the waterfall, which can easily be spotted from the Kafanchan-Madakiya-Zonkwa-Kaduna Road, has some mysteries about it as it exudes natural powers in the manner it gushes, tumbles and drops 30 metres into a still and deep gorge.

    The fresh cool breeze around the waterfall is soothing. Although the waterfall is eye-catching, it lacks the finesse to attract attention as a probable place for relaxation.

    An abandoned structure which supposedly served as a resort’s security post and a faded signpost suggest that previous attempts had been made to develop the area. On the other side of the fall, Madakiya Heritage Resort is being developed by a private investor to serve as a relaxation centre.

    Though no tourists or visitors were seen at the resort, some women were noticed scooping sand apparently for sale. Some youths were also seen fishing on the river.

    In addition to the resort, plans by another private investor to build a five-star hotel close to it have reached advanced stage.

    The residents said the waterfall sometimes produces rainbow colours and smoke. Luka Binniyat, a journalist, told our correspondent that there was nothing mysterious about the rainbow colours formed by the waterfall.

    He said: “There are rainbow colours produced by the waterfall. But it is merely a reflection from the sun. When the sun passes above the water, it produces rainbow colours. But the local people believe there is some mystery surrounding the waterfall.”

    Binniyat also said most visitors to Kafanchan insist on visiting the waterfall, but they always left disappointed because the place has not been developed into a proper tourist centre.

    He said: “If properly developed, it will generate huge revenue for government and create employment opportunities.”

    A community leader in Matsiriga, Yohana Yakubu said many of them are amazed at the wonders of the waterfall, pointing out that sometimes, if one decides to walk along the serene environment of the stream, one will be surprised to see white smoke coming out of the pool, adding that sometimes on Sundays, a rainbow would appear on the water and stretch up to the blue sky.

    He said: “As the name indicates, the waterfall is truly wonderful. For years, mysterious things have happened around the waterfall which is beyond human understanding.

    “For over 30 years I have lived here, no one has explained why these things happen. Sometimes the fall puffs up smoke, precisely at the entrance of the cave. The most intriguing mystery is that, on several occasions, mostly on Sundays, a rainbow would appear on the water and rise up to the sky. That is not all. There is something weird about the waterfall.

    “From what I heard and witnessed, at least 10 people have died inside the river but none of them is a native.”

    Yohana further said at the bottom of the rock, there is a 500-meter long cave while at the peak of the rainy season, the stream overflows and covers the cave. “The weather here is also different from what obtains in other towns and villages. Though the weather around Kafanchan, Kwoi and Kagoro is generally clement, it is usually cooler around the ‘river wonderful.’”

    Another resident, Blessing Duniya said she is inspired by the serene nature of the environment, adding that sometimes, she takes time out, especially during break period to visit the waterfall and appreciate its beauty. “I just can’t stop marvelling at the great wonders of God,” she said.

    Duniya regretted that despite its potential as huge revenue earner, government refuses to tap the abundant resources it boasts. She, however, expressed optimism that the place will be put to proper use in future.

    She said: “The location of the waterfall is good, just by the roadside. But there is no access road to it and no form of beautification to make the place attractive to visitors who may want to enjoy its natural coolness and beauty.

    “I would love to see people come here, feel its natural beauty and make it bubbly. Our lively towns have been ruined by ethno-religious crisis but I’m honestly hoping that, with natural endowments such as this, our towns will bounce back to life.”

    Apart from Matsiriga Waterfall, there is Awatsung Waterfall located at Madakiya, a neighbouring town to Matsiriga. A resident, Dogara Yunana noted that people swim and fish on the Awatsung Waterfall during the dry season, even as students go for picnics at the Matsiriga Waterfall.

    “In the rainy season, everybody engages in farming but once it’s October, fishing begins,” Yunana said.

    Many residents are not happy that the tourism potential of the waterfalls has largely remained untapped. They said they could generate huge revenue for Kaduna State in particular and Nigeria in general.

    Experts in tourism believe that utilising the potential in these tourists’ sites could solve the unemployment problem in the state, since tourism requires the services of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

    The closeness of the Matsiriga Waterfall to Kagoro, venue of the popular annual Afam Festival, the Nok Cultural Centre and its easy accessibility by rail and road, makes it plausible tourist delight if developed.

    According to experts, with its unique history and numerous annual cultural festivals, Southern Kaduna could be the ideal destination for lovers of eco-tourism, wildlife, cultural and heritage sites, religious rites, amusement, entertainment and leisure, adventure, outdoor and indoor sports tourism and meetings, among others.

    A resident, Habila Kayit said: “When you talk about notable tourist attractions in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa at large, Southern Kaduna deserves more than a mention. This is because I’ve gone round some of the sites.

    “In order to exploit the benefits of tourism in Southern Kaduna, there is need for adequate inventory of the available tourism potential/resources based on priorities. It is sad that the state and the local governments where such resources are deposited are either ignorant of the benefits that could be derived from developing those sites or are not willing to invest in them.

    “Malaysia, Kenya, Dubai, South Africa, Israel and Saudi Arabia, among others, depend so much on tourism as their major source of revenue and have created a niche market for their tourism products.”

  • Kaduna killings: Governor aborts trip, tension mounts

    There was tension in Kaduna metropolis on Sunday following the killing of over 100 persons in an overnight attack in three southern Kaduna villages by unknown gunmen.
    The attack on the three communities however forced the state governor, Mukthar Ramalan Yero to cancel his visit to the United States of America for a conference on peace and security and hurriedly return home.
    The Director General to the governor on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki said that Governor Yero was already in the United Kingdom enroute the United States of America to attend a symposium on peace and security in Northern Nigeria, organized by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
    According to him, Governor Yero was billed to address the conference on the security challenges in the North and Kaduna State in particular, but had to return to Nigeria on receiving the sad news that some hoodlums have attacked villages in Kaduna and killed many innocent citizens.
    Maiyaki said that the Governor departed Nigeria on Friday morning only to return on Saturday without attending the USIP conference after attackers invaded Kaura villages on Friday night and killed dozens of people.
    He said further that the symposium organized by the USIP is to have in attendance governors from Northern states that are facing security and economic challenges as well as lawmakers and investors from the US and Europe and aimed at seeking collaborative solutions to improving security as well as economic development of the North.
    He disclosed that the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has carried out an assessment of the communities affected and victims with a view to commence the process of providing relief to victims of the attacks, who are presently displaced from their homes.
    Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has called on people in the state to remain calm and shun rumors capable of escalating tension in the state.
    There was tension in the Sabon Tasha area of the metropolis at about 11.30 as people began to run for safety without waiting to find out what had gone wrong.
    The Nation saw sugar cane sellers, shoe shiners, Okada riders and others running away from the area as others who reside in the area and had their shops opened hurriedly closed them.

  • Over 100 killed in Kaduna villages

    Over 100 killed in Kaduna villages

    Not less than 100 persons were reported massacred late on Friday night in three Southern Kaduna villages of Bondon district in Kaura local government area of the state by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
    Those killed were being given a mass burial at about 4.15pm on Saturday with the President of the umbrella body of the southern Kaduna people, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Dr. Ephraim Goje in attendance.
    Communities in southern Kaduna have come under series of attack by unknown gunmen in the last two years, leaving many people killed and several property including farmland destroyed.
    Kaduna state governor who condemned the attack said that the government was working closely with security agents to scale up its strategies aimed at bringing the perpetrators to book, pointing out that the government has ordered full scale investigation into the incident.
    The Nation gathered that the attackers who came at about 11.30 pm on Friday night invaded Ugwar Sankwai, Ungwar Gata and Chenshyi villages all in Bondon district of Mor’oa Chiefdom of Kaura local government area shooting and set houses ablaze,.
    Residents  who attempted to run for their lives were either gunned down or matched .
    One of the survivors, Nuhu Moses from Chenshyi village said that the attackers were more than 40, armed with dangerous knives, guns and other sophisticated weapons, adding that over 50 people were killed in Chenshyi village alone while the houses were destroyed.
    Moses said “there is no house standing. All the houses were burnt by the attackers while people who attempted to run were gunned down. I was just lucky to have escaped, but our Pastor’s wife, and kids were among the people that were butchered”.
    At Ungwar Sankwai, a resident of the village, Jonathan Bako said he did not know how he managed to escaped the incident he described as Massacre.
    Speaking with The Nation on Sunday on Phone, SOKAPU President, Dr. Ephraim Goje said the attack was one too many and renewed the call by the Union on the federal government to establish a military post in the area.
    He challenge the government to take urgent steps to address the situation and protect the people of the area from extinction, while asking both the federal and state government to provide relief materials to those affected by the incident.
    Reacting to the development, Kaduna state governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero condemned the attack describing the act as ‘ungodly’ and ‘barbaric’ and expressed deep sadness and shock over the unwarranted attacks on innocent citizens of the state.
    While condoling victims of the attack, the Governor assured them of Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property of the entire people of the state and called on people in the communities to remain calm as Government is already working with security agencies towards scaling up its strategies in order to improve security, especially in border communities.
  • Boost for Kaduna rural communities

    Boost for Kaduna rural communities

    Through the Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP), the Kaduna State Governor is opening up villages and improving the lot of the people, TONY AKOWE reports.

    It was to be the market day at Tamie Village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, a quiet settlement, about 35 kilometres from Kaduna metropolis and 15 kilometres from Jaji Military Cantonment.

    Rather than be at the market, the people and their chief, Mallam Abdullahi Aliyu, and a few elders gathered at what appears a makeshift palace constructed with old corrugated zinc. They were enjoying their local delicacy when some reporters, accompanied by officials of the Kaduna Rural Access Mobility Project (KADRAMP), arrived. The elders vacated their seats for the visitors to interact with their chief.

    Briefing the reporters, Aliyu said the community had only a primary health centre, addding that, until about two years ago, the only means of transportation were motorcycles.

    He said: “No vehicle came to this village until two years ago when this road was built by KADRAMP. The only means of transportation to and from this place were motor cycles and we used to pay as much as N300 to get to Rigachukwu from here.

    “But with the construction of the road, vehicles come here and that has reduced the cost of transportation. Our children can now go to school without hindrance.

    “In the past, teachers posted to our village schools stayed away during the rainy season because they could not come to school, the road usually get flooded when it rains. But all that has changed. As you can see, we are a farming community. Today, we can afford to take our farm produce to the market because we have road.”

    The Rigachukwu-Tamie-Birnin Yaro Road constructed by the Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP) to make the rural communities accessible is one of the over 400 kilometres of roads that have been constructed across the state under the first phase of the project. The project is largely funded by the World Bank. The Kaduna State government provided 20 per cent counterpart fund.

    The site engineer Mr. Ibrahim Balarabe, told our correspondent that the road is beginning to open up the area, adding that the economic well-being of the people has improved.

    On the road to Tamie Village, it was discovered that buildings are evidence that the area is going up receiving attention from developers. Balarabe said: “Before the construction of this road, a piece of land here costs between N30, 000 and N50, 000. At present, the price of a plot of land has gone up to close to N200, 000. That is an indication that efforts being put into this project are beginning to yield dividend through opening up of the area for development.”

    He further noted that the roads constructed are subjected to what he called “output and performance road contract.” This means that the contractors are paid based on their performance and quality of the job done.

    “The contractors are supposed to stay and maintain the road for three years. Within that period, we don’t expect to see any pothole on the road. We have a monitoring mechanism whereby people, including the benefiting communities, are expected to drive on the road at 50 kilometres per hour and report any incident of pothole to the RAMP.

    “If there is a pothole on the road, the contractor will not be paid for that month until he fixes the bad spot,” he said.

    He, however, said even though the roads are supposed to be earth roads, he did not rule out the possibility of tarring them, pointing out that the volume of traffic on the road will determine whether the roads will be tarred or not.

    A resident of the area who identified himself as Shehu, said the only problem they are experiencing at the moment is that the road is too dusty.

    Shehu said: “We are happy that government has constructed the road for us. Before now, we could not travel during the rainy season because there was no road. But since the road was constructed, we can now move from one point to the other.

    “The problem we are having now is the dust. If two cars drive past us now, we will not see any building for sometime because of the dust. We will be happier if government can do something about the dust.”

    Commenting on the project, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon. Bashir Aliyu Idris said: “RAMP is designed to open up the rural areas and enhance access for the rural dwellers that produce 90 per cent of the foods consumed by the state’s growing population. Through the project, 400kms of rural roads have been upgraded and rehabilitated. These were roads that were impassable before they were constructed.

    “The project has also constructed 135 river crossings, drafted a new road transport policy and completed the classification of road network. A new GIS-based state road network map has been developed,” he said.

    Also commenting on the project, National Coordinator of RAMP Ubandoma Ularamu said Kaduna State was one of the two states alongside Cross River State that were involved in RAMP I, while six other states are involved in RAMP II.

    He said: “The project started in 2008 with the initial package worth $72 million. World Bank gives $60 million while Kaduna State government added $12 million counterpart fund.”

    While appreciating World Bank’s commitment in opening up communities in the state through the RAMP, the state government has restated its determination to continue to open up rural communities through provision of roads and electricity, even though Tamie Village is yet to benefit from such luxury. Director-General, Media and Publicity to the governor, Ahmed Maiyaki told journalists at a workshop on the activities of RAMP that the state built 11 feeder roads in rural communities last year while it connected 20 others with electricity.

    While challenging journalists to concentrate more on developmental journalism which will help in keeping the people abreast of happenings, especially in the rural areas, he said: “The Yero administration last year was also able to connect 20 rural communities with electricity through the rural electrification project. The benefiting communities spread across the 23 local government areas were Kujama/Tokace and Manini all in Chikun Local Government Area), Bele (Soba LGA), Kuli (Kubau LGA), Ankara (Sanga LGA) and Nkojo (Kagarko LGA). “The state government has opened up many rural communities with the construction of feeder roads. Such feeder roads are also central to economic activities in these areas as they provide easy access for farmers to evacuate their farm produce to markets.

    “Last year alone, Kaduna State government completed feeder roads in 11 communities which included Kajuru-Kujeni Road, Anfana-Katsit Road and Tashan Zago-Aba Malam Road, among others.

    “ Also last year, farmers in all rural communities procured fertiliser, hybrid seeds and chemicals at 60 per cent less than the market price. This was followed up with free distribution of the commodities to indigent farmers.

    “The aim of government was to boost food production and improve the economic well-being of the people.”

  • Funds stall Kaduna eastern by-pass

    Funds stall Kaduna eastern by-pass

    The idea of building an eastern bye-pass in Kaduna was mooted by the Federal Government 11 years ago. The initiative was aimed at decongesting the frustrating gridlock in the metropolis.

    To prove how committed it was to the execution of this project, government awarded the contract to Eksiogullari Construction, a Turkish firm, at the cost of N16 billion with a three-year completion period.

    But several years after, the construction company has not shown any commitment towards completing the project. Further investigations by our correspondent revealed that though the Minister of Information had assured during the good governance media tour that government was committed to the completion of the project, it may be a mere dream unless government becomes more committed to completing the project by providing the necessary funds for it. North Report had, on December 24, last year, quoted the Minister of State for Works, Bashir Yuguda as saying that the contractors lacked the capability to complete the 11-year-old project.

    However, investigations revealed that while the contractors have been battling to ensure that the project is completed, government has not released the necessary funds for the completion of the project.

    The highest amount of money ever budgeted for the project by the government was in 2005 when there was a budgetary provision of N2.5 billion for it. The poor funding of the project has hampered early completion of the project. Until government provides enough funds for this all-important project, the road which would decongest Kaduna metropolis and serve as an easy access to the north-western part of the country when completed will remain a mirage.

    Available information revealed that while the contract was signed on November 8, 2002, the contractors were not able to mobilise to site until March 5, 2003 due to issue of compensation for the local people whose lands the road crisscrossed.

    The issue of compensation had to be resolved before the commencement of work on the project. Having resolved the problem of compensation, it was gathered that it took government about 33 months to fully pay the contractors the 25 per cent advance payment for the project. It was also gathered that the final project design was given to the contractors barely one month to the original completion date. Sources close to the company told our correspondent that those whose duty it was to provide the contractors the project design gave it to them in October, 2005. “What could the contractors achieve on a road project that is about 48 kilometres long within one month when they were supposed to be putting finishing touches to the project?

    “If you combine that with the fact that it took the government 33 months to fully pay the mobilisation fee, you will realise that government has never been serious about completing that project,” our source said.

    Continuing, our source said: “Though budgetary allocation to the project has been inadequate, the government has never fully released the money allocated to the contractors while payment certificates for completed work are usually delayed. Payment of interest on delayed payment has never been honoured even though the contract agreement provides for that.

    “In one of the correspondences between the company and the Ministry of Works, the contractors complained about the shoddy treatment, poor funding as well as non-commitment to the realisation of the project on the part of government. The correspondence which took place after a visit by the Minister of State for Works to the project which was made available to our correspondent said: “Contractor, under client request secured on two occasions a loan facility of 20 million dollars from Turkish Exim Bank in December, 2005 and 100 million dollars from First Class Bank in London on May 26, 2010 to help finance the project which were not utilised by the client.

    “Also, the contractor on his own, to help finance the project, sourced a 120 million dollars loan from Deutche Bank on 11/08/2011 which is also not attended to.”

    Our correspondent also gathered that the company had complained to the Minister of State for Works about the difficulties it was going through after he visited the project site on September 26, 2011 that budgetary allocation for the project were not fully released as only part of it was released and paid due to lack of funds.

    “For example, the contractors informed the minister that in 2007, N2.3 billion was allocated to the project which was later reduced to N1.3 billion after the contractors had executed the work as a result of receipt of payments in 2008 for work executed in 2007.

    “They had proposed a review of the rate which has been pending and which should lead to augmentation of the contract sum by N10 billion which should have increased the contract sum to N26 billion.”

    It was gathered that even after inspecting the project and taking notes of the contractor’s complaints, the minister was said to have promised that government would do something about it. But government did nothing about reviewing the contract or providing adequate funds for the project.

    In 2007, the Engineer Representative for the project, one Mr. M.C. Aliyu, in a letter dated December 15, 2007, drew the attention of the government to why the project should be extended from 2007 to 2009, a period covering 23 months. He pointed out that the reasons advanced by the contractors were “poor budgetary allocation and delayed payments of executed works by client; inclement weather condition; additional works to the original scope of work by client; unnecessary hardship in the procurement of construction materials particularly diesel and bitumen and unnecessary delay due to late submission of the engineering design by the consultants (it took two-and-half years into the contract period before engineering design was made ready by the consultants).

     

     

  • Uneasy calm over killing of Islamic cleric

    There was an uneasy calm in Zaria Sunday following the killing on Saturday night of prominent Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Mohammed Auwal Albany, his wife and child by unknown gunmen.
    Kaduna state governor, Mukthar Ramalan Yero described the killing as gruesome saying the killing was an indication that despite the improvement in security of lives and property in the state, more still needs to be done to rid the state of evil doers.
    The gunmen were said to have followed the Islamic scholar from his Salafiya Islamic centre at about 9.00pm and ambushed him at the Gaskiya area of Zaria, about half a kilomtre to his house, leaving four others, including two of his children serious injured.
    One of Albany’s students who identified himself as Sahabi Musa, told journalists that the assailants had trailed Albany from his centre in a Volkswagon Golf car while others were on a motorcycle and opened fire on him and his family members when they were approaching their home.
    He said “Malam was reciting the Kalimat Shahada repeatedly before he gave up, we are so happy about that and pray to Almighty Allah to forgive his sins and reward him with paradise. They opened fire on them and ran away. This is reminiscent of how Sheik Jafar Adam was killed in Kano. The killers trailed him from his school where he had earlier given lectures on the religion of Islam.”
    Reacting to the development, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero expressed shock and deep sadness over the gruesome killing, describing it as ‘satanic and wicked.’
    Yero said “the killing of Sheikh Albani is an indication that despite the improvement in security of lives and property in the State, more still needs to be done to rid our State of evil doers, who are bent on creating tension in our communities.”
    In a statement signed by his Director General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor said the government has already ordered investigation into the killing and assured the people that no stone shall be left unturned in unravelling those behind the dastardly act.
    He described the late Islamic preacher as a man “who always stood on the part of truth in accordance with the teaching of the holy Qur’arn and the Sunnah of the holy Prophet (PBUH). He was known for imparting education on the younger generation, a practice which he upheld until he met his untimely death in the hands of evil men, who take pleasure in killing innocent people.
    “At this difficult and sad time, our hearts and prayers are with the family of the late Albani. We urge members of his family to take solace as Muslims in the belief that we are all from Allah and to Him, we must all return.”
    While praying for the repose of the soul of the preacher, the governor called on his followers to remain calm and law abiding as Government is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the killing to justice.

     

  • Kaduna fair seeks solution to agric

    The first Deputy President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce (KADCCIMA), Alhaji Awwalu M. Makarfi, has decried the nation’s overdependence on oil.

    He said any upset in the global oil industry affects the economy and urged the government to discourage the mono economy status by developing other sectors, which have potential, especially the agricultural and industrial sectors.

    Makarfi, who spoke while briefing reporters on the forthcoming 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair, said the chamber chose the theme, “Agricultural Transformation for Industrial Development: Public Private Partnership (PPP) Approach,” to draw government’s attention and that of the private sector to the urgency of developing other sectors of the economy to ensure economic growth and prosperity.

    He said the fair would be chaired by Lt.-Gen. T. Y. Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence, while Prof. Ango Abdullahi, an ex-Special Adviser to the former President on Food Security, will be the guest speaker.

    Makarfi regretted what he called a disconnect between the government and the governed and promised that the fair would serve as a ground for cross-fertilisation of ideas between the private sector and the government, which would be expected to change the face of agriculture and industrialisation.

    He said except there was a collaboration between relevant stakeholders in the economy, the agricultural sector would not make an impact as it was doing in other countries, such as India, Malaysia, USA and China.

  • Gunmen kill Chinese rail worker, injure two others

    Gunmen kill Chinese rail worker, injure two others

    A CHINESE working with a construction firm in Kirim village in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State has been killed in an attack by gunmen.

    Two other Chinese were wounded during the attack in the border community between Kaduna and Plateau states.

    The three Chinese were supervising an ongoing rail rehabilitation project along the Jos-Kafanchan rail track when they were attacked,according to eye witnesses.

  • Live in Kaduna, work in Abuja

    Live in Kaduna, work in Abuja

    The idea of having a fast rail track linking the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna was first mooted by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo when he was the governor of Kaduna State. Then, the rail track was to be designed to link the Kaduna Millennium City on the eastern flank of Kaduna metropolis and to provide easy transport for people who might want to live in Kaduna and work in Abuja. But it was evident that the state government will not have the amount of money needed to execute such a huge project. Considering the fact that rail transport in the country has been almost an exclusive preserve of the federal government, the Sambo began a subtle move to get the federal government to buy into the project and his plans materialised when he was appointed the Vice President. He sold the idea to the federal government under President Goodluck Jonathan who bought into it. But rather than terminate at the Millennium City, the fast rail track was diverted to Rigassa, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis believed by many in Kaduna to be a no go area for Christians. President Goodluck Jonathan was billed to flag off the construction of the fast rail track at Rigassa during his presidential campaign to Kaduna in 2011, but cancelled the idea at the last minute due to security reports. In buying into the project, the government decided on carrying it out along with a total rehabilitation of existing rail lines across the country. The project was awarded to the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) at the cost of about 850 million dollars.

    The project which is already 70 percent completed is about 186 kilometres long with about nine stations along the line from Kaduna to Abuja. The construction of the track is expected to be beneficial to the various communities through which the fast train is expected to pass through, but many of them are not convinced that about government sincerity completing the project especially the fact that there are limited information about the project.

    The Federal Director of Railways, Engr. Barau Gafar said that the project was initially awarded in 2006 as part of government plans to revitalise the railway sector to run from Lagos to Kano, adding that the government decided to segment it to six parts namely Lagos to Ibadan, Ibadan to Ilorin, Ilorin to Minna, Minna to Abuja, Abuja to Kaduna. He also told the good governance tour team which visited the project recently that the government decided to commence with two segments which are Lagos to Ibadan and Abuja to Kaduna, saying “we started Abuja to Kaduna in the year 2010 precisely. The contract was awarded to CCECC at total cost of 849 million US dollars”. He disclosed that when completed, then fast train would run at a speed of between 120km to 150 km per hour, and anyone living in Kaduna will be able to travel to Abuja in approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Spokesman of the construction company, James Lee, said the project has not suffered any setbacks since its commencement as there was no land acquisition problem while funding from the government has been regular and coming as and when due. Lee said that even in China, projects like the rail project are handled for about three years, describing the government as good clients assuring that the project will be handed over to the government in December 2014.

    However, a tour of the project by The Nation revealed that communities that are supposed to benefit from the project have mixed feelings about the project. While some are not comfortable with government sincerity and commitment to the project, others think it is a blessing to them, believing that when completed, it will open up their communities. For example, residents of Rigassa which is the terminal point of the track in Kaduna are not happy that President Goodluck Jonathan failed to come to the community in 2011 to flag off the construction of the rail tracks. The date for the flag off coincided with the presidential campaign in Kaduna.

    Even though the contractors said that they have not had any problem with acquiring land for the project, some of the farmers complained that they have lost large portion of their farm land to the project without any form of compensation by the government. Former Minister of Transport, Yusuf Suleiman under whose tenure the project began was quoted by a national daily newspaper as saying that when completed and put to use, the project will afford a lot of residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and those that have business in the nation’s capital, to reside in Kaduna or any of the railway towns and villages along the rail line to visit the FCT, do their businesses and return the same day. There is the belief however that this will help bring down the cost of living within the FCT, especially cost of residential accommodation which has continued to be on the rise. Suleiman was also quoted as saying initially; the manufacturers of the fast train had offered the Nigerian government a faster train which they rejected. He said “when we went to China to negotiate about the trains, the manufacturers offered us the engines that cover 450 kilometers per hour but we rejected that. We consulted President Jonathan who agreed with us that electric train engines that can cover 450 kilometers per hour will not be the best for a country like ours where animals graze freely and in most of the villages the train will pass through, people are used to crossing railway lines with their animals in a way that of the speed of such trains will be dangerous. We therefore, opted for the type that can cover 200 to 250 kilometers per hour. With that type, it means when you leave Kaduna by 7am you are sure of being in Abuja by 8am. By that you may even arrive your office and start work before someone that lives in Abuja. Government will make sure that the fare is affordable. We planned to have nine railway stations between Kaduna and Abuja where the trains will be making brief stop-overs to drop and pick passengers”. The former minister said further that as part of the transformation agenda of President Jonathan which is targeted at improving the living conditions of Nigerians and other foreigners living in the country, the transport sector is being transformed in a way that will yield dividends and improve the nation’s economy.

    Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo who flag off the laying of the fast rail track at Idu in the Federal Capital Territory said the government was committed to completing all rail projects across the country as part of its transformation agenda. Sambo was unhappy that the sector which is key to the development of any society has been neglected over the years. He said “as you are fully aware, this Administration accords top priority to the development of infrastructure as a component of the Transformation Agenda as well as the Vision 20:2020. In that regard, several projects covering critical sectors in transportation like Roads, Waterways, Aviation, and in Power Supply, Housing and the development of critical projects and programmes are being undertaken by this Administration and are at various stages of completion. This is an administration that keeps to its promises”. Sambo said that the government was committed to adequately fund the project, pointing out that part of the funds will be provided through the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and an additional $500 million concessionary loan from China EXIM Bank, who are co- financing the project. While regretting the neglect of the rail sector over the years, the Vice President said that with the articulation of the 25 years Strategic Rail Vision and in partnership with the private sector, the railways would return back to its glorious days, saying “in our efforts to ensure adequate funding for the Transformation Agenda, Government has created the enabling environment for the private sector to play significant roles.  This Administration is determined to concession the railway facilities upon completion.  Similarly, opportunities abound for Foreign Direct Investments in this important sector”.

     

  • Kaduna: Can PDP survive APC offensive?

    Kaduna: Can PDP survive APC offensive?

    Worried by the recent mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Vice President Namadi Sambo is leading a PDP counter charge, reports TONY AKOWE, KADUNA

    There appears to be a hurricane sweeping through the political landscape in Kaduna State and through the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and unless stakeholders in the party move fast, there are clear indications that it might lose power in the 2015 general elections. Ahead of the 2011 elections, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) gave the PDP a big scare. But the party had to rely on religious sentiments to win the governorship election. After the scare caused by the CPC, the former governor, the late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, moved to build bridges across political divide in the state, winning the confidence of opposition parties in the state. The death of Yakowa left a vacuum, truncating the peace initiatives targeted at aggrieved members of the party in the state. The Nation was informed that several members of the party are feeling left out in the scheme of things in the party across the state.

    The emergence of the Abubakar Baraje-led new PDP further compounded the problems in Kaduna State as it provided the aggrieved members opportunity to express themselves. But rather than call them for dialogue, the leadership of the PDP in the state called the aggrieved members names, apparently under-estimating the calibre of people that constituted themselves into the new PDP in the state.

    Former National Legal Adviser of the party and a former Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mark Jacob, lamented that an otherwise tiny misunderstanding has been allowed to grow into a huge ball of fire that has the capacity of rubbishing every structure of the party, pointing out that unless things change for good in the party, there will be a political disaster if it goes into any election now.

    While expressing concern over the current state of affairs in the party, Jacob said it was unfortunate that those saddled with the responsibility of guiding the party through troubled times do not care that the boat is threatened. Jacob said “in the face of unfolding political events in Kaduna State, it is indeed worrisome that once again, persons shouldered with the responsibility of guiding the PDP boat through troubled times do not seem to care that the boat is threatened by critical weather conditions or are still enmeshed in the euphoria, size and magnitude of the office they occupy.

    Otherwise, how does one explain the rascal docility, loud silence and inaction of these major players in the PDP to the serious events that occurred in the last 10 days. It is an accepted fact that conflicts abound in all human associations thus the challenges in the Kaduna State PDP are not an exception, however what is baffling is that an otherwise tiny misunderstanding has been allowed to grow into a configuration that has the capacity of rubbishing every structure of the party.

    The officials of the PDP in Kaduna State must be held accountable or responsible for any collateral damage that befalls the party if all caution is again thrown to the wind and genuine issues of concern raised by party members and political observers are again ignored or labelled as “attention seekers”. Available data garnered from on the spot analysis reveal that the PDP is at its lowest rating since 1999 and unless things change, there will be a political disaster if we go into any election now”.

    He said further that “all in the political and PDP leadership of our state that the current challenges are surmountable. However, there must be a change in the style of leadership being provided. The traditional stronghold of the PDP, which is Southern Kaduna, is gradually, but surely slipping away from the PDP; thanks to the shoddy, unintelligent conduct of the party leadership both at the state and zonal levels in the last few years. Of course, instead of listening to advice, they engage in childish gossips, name calling and persecution of anyone who speaks up, just as the trend is glaring in both Northern and Central Kaduna zones. The entire state is pregnant with feverish anger against the current administration in the state and as well our party. When you meet politicians, they complain of exclusion, you meet businessmen, they complain of non patronage and overconcentration of business opportunities in the hands of a few favored fronts of those in government, you meet the youths, they complain of failure to empower. This trend must be arrested if we want to sustain the fortunes of the party in the state. It is imperative that party stalwarts reconsider hard-line positions in view of the sensitivity attached to our state, as political capital and nerve center of Northern Nigeria. This, we must guard jealously and use as a source of strength, integration, peaceful coexistence and development. However, this we cannot, as a state, boast of if we are unable to effectively manage simple political discontent within our state and showcase very high political/administrative capacity. Finally, I restate my belief that the current challenges are surmountable, but this will require that the leadership of the party and those in government facilitates genuine reconciliation on the premise of justice, equality and equity. The style has been to dismiss and insult those who make suggestions, I hope the recent ugly trend of events have thought us good lessons”.

    The decamping of Audi Yaro Makama, two time chairman of the PDP in the state, along with many other stakeholders to the All Progressive Congress (APC) has further left the PDP vulnerable in the state. Even though PDP officials in the state have failed to admit the fact that the exit of Makama and other loyalists of former governor, now Senator, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi to the APC is a threat to the continued dominance of Kaduna politics by the party, there are clear indications that the party is threatened by the exit of these politicians and many more who are billed to follow in the days to come. The Nation gathered that apart from the Makarfi loyalists that have left the party, loyalists of the immediate past governor, late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, may follow suit having been made irrelevant in the scheme of things in the party and in governance in the state. It was gathered that the APC is currently in discussion with leaders of the Yakowa loyalists with a view to attracting them to the party. Ismaila Abdullahi Yakawada, who is believed to have a wide acceptance across southern Kaduna is one of those being attracted by the APC. Also, a former governorship aspirant of the party and former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, who is believed to be one of the best grassroots mobilisers in the state, is also believed to be going round villages in the northern part of the state, mobilising PDP members to join the APC, since in his words, “the PDP has failed to carry them along.” Hunkuyi has consistently have problems with Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, since his time as governor in the state. Even though both Hunkuyi and Sambo camps have failed to comment on this since then, Sambo was said to have awarded Hunkuyi a contract as governor and refused to pay him the money. The contract sum was reportedly paid by late Yakowa.

    Also, a letter making the round in the state suggests that the present government is out to implement an agenda carefully prepared. In a letter dated March 6, 2013 and addressed to the governor, one Mallam Zubairu Sani, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Albarka Consult, drew up the agenda which many believed is currently being implemented by the government. The letter reads “In reference to government house memo KDGH/CONF/008/13, find attached, my submission on the ways forward in charting a new political course for Kaduna State and the game plan to overcome the zone 3 challenge”. It suggests the “immediate change of the leadership of the state House of Assembly. For the Speakership position, another member from Giwa Constituency should replace the present speaker. This is to counter the threat and influence of the Yakawada camp. Reshuffle the cabinet in disguise as a ploy to make the commissioners relax, then fire them within one to three months in the new positions, when they would have had a false sense of satisfaction that they would not be dissolved and make them open up on the activities of their ministries. This is to get rid of the Yakowa loyalists, especially from zone 3. For political exigency, the PPS, Aliyu Samaila, should be reassigned as was done to the Timothy Gandu. Not quite long after you swear in the new commissioners, sack all, remaining Yakowa appointees…”

    Investigations revealed that this plan may have been implemented by the government to its exact specification with the exemption of sacking the remaining Yakowa appointees who are Special Advisers. The near correct nature of the actions of Governor Yero since June 2013 in relation to the proposal has further widened the gulf within the PDP in the state.

    Audi Yaro Makama, who was always regarded as the Chairman of Chairmen, when he led the party in the state, recently led 70 others to join the APC, saying they decided to abandon the party they worked hard to build in the state because of the injustice currently existing in the party. Makama believe that their exit from the PDP is part of the political revolution that is happening in this country, saying “the injustice in PDP is one reason why we left the party for the APC. As you can see, most of the people here are PDP members who have played a greater role in its development in Kaduna State. We cannot remain in a party that cannot provide infrastructure for people of the state. This is why we want those in PDP to know that we hardly join a party that we know will not deliver. So, by 2015, APC will win elections in Kaduna”. However, former governor, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, who is the arrow head of the Makama group, is still a member of the PDP, but it remain to be seen how long he will hold back since almost all is henchmen have dumped the PDP. One of his aides told The Nation that “presently, Makarfi is out of the country. He has been informed of the decision of his men to dump the PDP, but he remains a member of the party for now. We don’t know what his move will be when he returns, but definitely, he will be alone in the party now. But the PDP is also aware that if Makarfi leaves, it will affect its fortunes in the state greatly because his supporters at the grassroots will follow suit and as you know, he has a wide followers across the state because he has remained in touch with them even after leaving office as governor”.

    But the leadership of the party in the state dismissed the action of the decampees, describing them as attention seekers. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Mansur, said the defectors have long ceased to be members of the party even before they announced their defection, describing their exit as good riddance to bad rubbish. Mansur said “it has come to our knowledge that some disgruntled politicians are claiming to have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Kaduna State PDP wishes to inform the general public that the so-called individuals and their co-pilots have ceased to be members of the PDP for a very long time ago. In short, it is a good riddance to bad rubbish, these politicians have stopped participating in PDP activities and programmes a long time ago. As such, their so-called defection is only a charade intended to deceive the general public for cheap political point. We are calling on our teaming supporters to remain calm and focused and not to be deterred by the so-called defection, as their defection is not and will never be a threat to PDP”, the statement reiterated.

    The dwindling fortune of the party in the state is no doubt of concern to Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero and Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, who had to spend his Christmas holiday in Kaduna holding consultations with stakeholders on how to stop the party from collapsing in the state. Sambo and the governor held series of meetings with various interest groups in the state and it was gathered that more of such meetings are still lined up in view of the fact that it will be politically suicidal for the Vice President for the party to lose Kaduna State to the opposition party. However, while Sambo was holding consultation meetings, there were further reports that 1,200 members of the PDP in his (Sambo) local government area had joined the APC, a report which PDP promptly denied, insisting it was aimed at embarrassing the Vice President.

    Abdullahi Babawo said at a news conference in Kaduna that they were taken aback about the news of such defection and challenged officials of APC to produce the membership cards of those PDP members who have joined them. Babawo said, “our attention has been drawn to publications by APC that some of our members have decamped to their party from PDP and to portray the APC as having gained an upper hand within the Kaduna North Local Government Area”. While insisting that those who manufactured the report wanted to score cheap political point against him, he said “I have met with all my ward chairmen and it was a malicious fabrication deliberately executed to coincide with the visit of the Vice President to the state and to diminish whatever he came to do. I assure the public that APC has no strong footing within the local government and we are going to show that we are the party to beat”.

    The Nation also gathered that at the moment, there is a lot of dissatisfaction among strong members of the party from Southern Kaduna that has remained the strong hold of the party since 1999. Party leaders in the area have been complaining of being left out of the scheme of things in the state. The umbrella body of the southern Kaduna people had in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan complained that despite giving the party majority of the votes that brought the government to power, they have been given the least patronage in terms of appointments and projects by the government. Sources however said that the people of southern Kaduna may opt for the APC, especially if the party gives them the governorship ticket.

    Also, the appointment of the next minister from the state may go a long way to determine their next move. Already, some have said that the Special Adviser to the Vice President on Special Duties, Isaiah Balat, is being considered for a ministerial job. Others believe that since Balat is already an Adviser in the presidency, another southern candidate, preferably a woman, should be appointed as a minister from the area. But there are those who believe that there are plans to ensure that the ministerial slot does not go to southern Kaduna. This may further expose the party to dangers especially in the southern part of the state.

    So, as the political theatre becomes hotter, Sambo is personally leading the counter force to halt the hurricane. How far he can go before the 2015 elections remains to be seen.