Posted October 5, 2012 by Emmanuel Bello in Politics

Understanding Governor Yakowa

By JAMES SWAM –
Some governors in this democratic dispensation appear to be grossly misunderstood by their own people on account of some feeble factors which mostly are not sufficiently strong to yield support from the larger society. Though these feelings of misunderstanding are not uncommon even when expressed by a handful, they sure have some consequences capable of eliciting disaffection.
The attention of many people has been drawn already to this argument. Whether you share a parallel view or even a dissimilar perspective, as you pontificate, it is noteworthy that inferences such as these sometimes are arrived at by some people based on their superficial understanding of issues. People could misunderstand their governor on account of their being in the opposition, and therefore, constantly disagree with his policies, programs and implementations.
One of the governors hugely misunderstood in this perspective is Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna state. But, why should Yakowa be misunderstood by his people including the critics who ought to ordinarily understand him, his policies, programs and the circumstances of the state?
The issue at stake is that persons who claim to be dissatisfied with the administration; of course there are always people like that, have begun circulating false and imaginative impressions that the present administration has done ‘nothing’ for the state. In other words, that
neither the southern nor northern parts of the state have benefited from government projects in the first one year of the administration! Is this possible? Is there any grain of truth in such claims? Isn’t it amazing listening to such crass ignorance expressed even by those who are perpetual critics of the administration, not to talk of those who masquerade as faithful of the government?
Government projects are in all local government areas of the state and more are being proposed for execution by early October to cover roads network, schools, potable water supply, rural electrification etc. The contract for the fourth bridge and access roads were awarded to decongest the city bridge and open up development at the eastern fringes. Have we forgotten so soon the joy that heralded the fourth bridge in Kaduna south and Hayin-Danmani road in Igabi LGAs?
Releases for payments of projects from January to March this year on rural and community development included solar electrifications in local government areas viz Kajuru, Kachia and Chikun as well as electrification of communities in Kudan, Z/Kataf, Kagarko, Soba LGAs. Roads construction work in Igabi, Z/Kataf, Jaba, Sanga, B/Gwari, Zaria, Kaduna South, Kaura, Lere, Kajuru, Kagarko, Sabon Gari and Soba local government areas are on-going with some LGAs having more than one road projects at a time.
Kaduna state 2012 budget is among the best in the country in view of the many positive aspects it contains. The 272-page ‘2012-2014 draft multi-year estimates’ provides a robust financial planning system that the state hopes to use to achieve socio-economic development. This is coming as northern states are taking steps to improve their internally generated revenue (IGR), with Kaduna expected to move from a mere N12.8bn in 2011 to N35.7bn in 2012, an increase of N22.9bn.
Beyond doubt, some people are not being fair to Yakowa’s administration by comparing the barely one year government to those that have spent four to eight years. But even at that, it’s worthy of note that the administration has done well within the available context of its existence in the face of intimidating crises that initially disrupted its focus. It will be better to judge an administration at least half way into its first term and not just few months into its first year if at all we want to be fair to the governor.
The administration is focused on building understanding and unity amongst the people first who, deprived for many years, were like cannon waiting to explode and no society can develop under hostilities. Critics should be fair to the administration and should also know that a lot of debts were allegedly inherited. The governor is not greedy, not power drunk and has got the ability to deliver good governance to the state but he need a peaceful atmosphere. This, with an improved IGR added to what comes from the centre; Kaduna will witness a huge development leap to the chagrin of its critics. So, let’s not misunderstand the governor because unless we study his policies, it will be difficult to appreciate his pace.
Swam wrote in from Kaduna.