Governor Atiku Bagudu is on a rescue mission in Kebbi State. Since his assumption of office, he has been fighting the infrastructure battle. But, the state is handicapped by the cash crunch. In a bid to cut down cost, he has attempted to block the loopholes. He is also whipping unscrupulous civil servants to line. The governor has a plan to boost in internally generated revenue. He has also promised to embarked on agricultural revolution. Correspondent KHADIJAT SAIDU examines the activities of the governor in the last three months and the challenges ahead.
On May 29, Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu inherited many challenges from his predecessor, Alhaji Usman Dakingari. The Northwest state has been hit by the cash crunch. Civil servants were not ready to accept any explanation for any slight delay in the payment of salaries. Stakeholders who endorded the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the last election were expecting a turn around across the sectors. Towns and villages renewed their agitations for social amenities.
The governor was conscious of these challenges. During the campaigns, he had raised the people’s hope. On the podium, he said transformation of the state will be his priority. Thus, eyes were on him when he assumed the reinss
In his first week in office, he embarked on the tour of the major towns in the four emirates. He visited major secondary schools for on the spot assessment. He was enraged by the decadence in these public schools. According to the previous administration, a huge amoung has been spent on the public school system. But, to Bagudu’s consternation, there is nothing to show for the investment.
The schools were an eyesore. There were no chairs and tables in the classrooms. The floors were ruptured. Students were compelled to sit on the floor. In the hostels, there were no beddings. Student spread their mats on the floor. Baguda was seized by grief. Lamenting the sordid situation, the governor said the future of youths was in jeopardy.
To stem the rot, the governor swung into action. He awarded contracts for the renovation of schools and hostels, charging the contractors not to compromise standard. He said the provision of facilities will make the learning environment conducive for the children.
Kebbi State has often suffered erratic electricity supply. It is ironical that despite the fact that regular electricity is enjoyed by the neighbouring Niger and Benin Republic, the state has continued to suffer power outage. Yet, the power sector is critical to economic development. Bagudu believes that regular power supply will spur the growth of small, medium and large scale businesses. Thus, the governor visited the Niger Delta Power Holden (NDPH) Headquarters in Abuja and Lagos. Since then, power has become relatively stable in the state.
Bagudu procurred two 11.7kva transformers and 50 units of 7.5kva sub-transformers that would transmit power from the 11.7kva to Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. The governor has also assured the people of Argungu, Yauri and Zuru that, before the end of October, they will enjoy stable electricity.
The governor was shocked by the lean purse of the state. The treasury was almost empty. Therefore, he set up a 25-man committee headed by his deputy, Sama’ila Dabai Yombe, to look into the finances of the state. Besides, he charged the committee to beam a searchlight on the Ahmadu Bello International Airport. He said he suspected a foul play. The report was shocking. According to the panel, the immediate past government left N100 million in the state’s coffer, contrary to the claim that N300 million was left in the account. Also, the airport project was shrouded in controversy. It was discovered that N 7.5 billion has been spent as against the N28.5, which the past government said was spent.
Kebbi is a civil servant state. It lacks industry and foreign investment. But, within two in office, Bagudu unfolded an agenda for industrialisation. He hosted a five-man Iranian Team of Industrialists, which was in the state to explore investment opportunities in manufacturing, mining, installations and agriculture. The investment mission was trailed by the visit of a team of rice milling experts led by a Central Bank official to ascertain the level of rice production for the purpose of improving the crop for better yield.
Also, the officials of the Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc led by its Managing Director were in Kebbi to explore its agricultural potentials. The giant company came with the aim of establishing a subsidiary in the state because of the abundant rice cultivation and production in 17 of the 21 local government areas.
The local government is not insulated from financial rot. However, Bagudu has assured that all forms of corruption should give way. Thus, he set up a committee and sub-committee to verify the finances of the local government. He also ordered a staff audit, which was meant to halt the menace of ghost workers.
Before he got to office, there was public outcry against the level of filth in the state. Bagudu decried the indiscipline, saying that environmental sanitation should now be the watchword. He set up a committee to get rid of the mess. The governor also directed the appropriate agencies to clear the drainages and seaways to save the communities from erosion and flooding, which have been the bane of the metropolis. The recent flood, which submerge farm lands in Makera and Argungu, was devastating. Bagudu said to avoid future disaster, prevention is better than cure.
The governor, who sympathised with the victims, saidthe communities will be rehabilitated to enable them continue with their normal activities. He promised to give incentives and improved seeds to the affected farmers to enable them embark on massive dry season farming. Bagudu also assured that dry season rice and wheat farmers will benefit from high yielding seeds, fertilizers and linkages services.
This year’s Hajj operations took a different dimension. The governor set up a committee headed by Deputy Governor Yombe to review the operations and eliminate sharp practices by middle men, both at home and in the Saudi Arabia.The government was responsible for feeding pilgrims. He also directed that that on getting to Mecca, male pilgrims must be provided with free pears of harami cloths to perform theHajji. He also gave pocket money to women pilgrims. The governor alsosaid that this month’s salary should be paid to workers on September 17 to enable them celebrate a hitch-free salah. He also directed that leave grants should be paid to workers.
Besides, the governor gave sallah gifts to traditional rulers, ulamas, politicians, youths, women and the less privileged .
In Kebbi State, the menace of cattle rustling is rampant. The governor has been confronting the challenge. He solicited for the deployment of soldiers to the hot spot of rustlers in Bena and Danko/Wassagu Local Government Area. Now, their activities have been curtailed.
Baguda has also visited Benin Republic in his bid to halt the incessant boundary disputes and communal clashes between the citizens of Benin and Nigerians who live along boundary areas.
He has also advocated for strong economic ties between Kebbi and Benin Republic. To facilitate cordial economic relations, the Bagudo/Cotonuo road project has been flagged off. Also, a dry port is to be established by his administration in Lolo Village, Bagudo Local Government, where agriculture produce and other consumable items can easily be transported freely between the two countries and other countries within the sub-region.
