INAUGURATION ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY
GOVERNOR
RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO OF KANO STATE, AT SANI ABACHA STADIUM
KOFAR MATA KANO ON THE 29th MAY, 2011
(27 JUMADA-THANI 1432 A.H.)
All praises are due to Allah, the Exalted, the Most High, may the peace and blessings of Allah (SWT) be upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
May dear fellow citizens, the good people of Kano State, exactly 12 years ago, I stood before you at this arena amidst similar tumultuous crowd and took an oath of office as a democratically elected Governor of Kano State. The same history has repeated itself today, as I just sworn – in to an oath of office as yet, another democratically elected Governor of our great State.
As we witnessed this day of reckoning, I am exceedingly grateful to Almighty Allah for making this history possible. In particular, it is a day that symbolizes the historic choice of Kano people for hope over fear and unity of purpose over despair and discord.
In the last few weeks during which 3 round of elections were held, the people of Kano State have demonstrated their avowed commitments to rational political decisions for which we have gathered here today to proclaim an end to hollow pursuits and false promises that dotted the last eight years of governance in our State.
Indeed, the dawn has come for an end to the use of worn-out dogmas as an instrument of deceit which for too long have strangled our politics. On the contrary, today ushers in yet the return of our Government which would be predicated on the aspirations of the people and commitment to the transformation of the entirely of their social, economic and political lives. The journey which brought us to this milestone could not be possible without the hard work, commitment and tireless efforts of all the PDP members of Kano State.
I must appreciate the immensurable contribution of the Kwankwasiyya members of our great party, the PDP of Kano State. I must acknowledge the ebullient leadership qualities of Barrister Farouk Iya and the entire members of the State Executive Council, the Local Government and the wards leadership for piloting our great party to the recent elections victories, which led to our regaining the stewardship of Kano State. In particular, these victories are: winning the Governorship election, the 2 senatorial seats out of the 3, the 14 members of the House of Representatives out of the 24 seats and the 30 Members of the State House of Assembly out of the 40. At this juncture, I wish to commend the fatherly role of the Kano State PDP Elders Committee Chairman, Alh. Datti Wudilawa and the entire members of the Elders Committee for their wise counsel. Today’s episode could not have been possible without the prayers we enjoyed from members of the Kano Ulama, the support from the Kano Business Community, the Traditional Rulers, the Civil Servants, Kano Indigenes Resident in other parts of Nigeria and the support enjoyed from good meaning citizens of Lagos, Sokoto and Jigawa States.
Of greater significance to the making of today, is the indefatigable efforts of the down – trodden people of Kano State (The Talakawas) for whom these victories are monumental. I assure you that, this Government will be driven by your aspirations and convictions in our capacity to steer the change that will transform your lives positively and shall act always in the best interest of the generality of the people of Kano State.
Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin yet again, the work of re – making Kano State. From every facet we look there is work to be done. The state of affairs of governance in the last eight (8) years call not only for speedy action but bold and swift one to lay a new foundation for growth and development of our people in order to meet the demands of a new age. The era of beclouding people with sentimental rhetoric without sincere commitment for matching action is gone from today forever. Warnings to this effect have earlier attest to this desire of Kano people but the cynics failed to understand that the ground has shifted beneath them – the stale political arguments that have consumed us for 8 years no longer apply. It is now time for objective realism and commitment to noble course for human values.
RE-AWAKENING:
The decision made by the people of Kano State to re-vote PDP into power testifies the need for a new political order – A truly God fearing system of governance devoted to the true tenets of the Shariah in an arena that is devoid of deceit and corruption, consolidated by a since arrangement that would enliven our youth and give them a constructive life, a paradigm that will instill discipline and strengthen security for our people and an instrument that will provide people with the guarantee to pursue happiness and fulfilling life.
My dear good people of Kano State, kindly lend me your ears to hear this shocker. From May 2003 to April 2011, Kano State Government received an income of over N500 billion. The 44 Local Government Councils receipt for the same period is well over N500 billion. The totality of income for Kano State Government and the 44 Local Government over the last 8years is well over a trillion naira with relatively nothing to show for it. I wish to ring the attention of Kano people to memory lane, that during our first tenure between 1999 to 2003 the total receipts of Kano State Government stood at N72 billion. At the point of our exit, we left behind over N4billion in the Treasury. Conversely however, I want to inform Kano people that I have inherited virtually an empty Treasury and a State Government that is highly indebted with over $209 million US Dollars as external loans and an internal liability for contract/suppliers and recurrent expenditure of over N77billion.
Record indicate that from September, 2010 to date deduction from the salary of Civil Servants as well as Government’s contribution towards Contributory Pension Scheme in the sum over N3billion were deducted but are neither in the Treasury nor remitted to the Pension Trust Fund’s Account. It is therefore worthy of noting that the total liability figure inherited by us from the previous administration alone is much higher than our total receipt during my first tenure. My dear people of Kano State, an analogy of facts and figures reveal that three (3) Government institutions namely; Government House, Cabinet Office and the Office of the Head of Civil Service are responsible for 25% and 38% of the statewide recurrent cost. The three units recurrent cost of N9.8illion in 2009 alone exceeds the Capital Investment spending of seven (7) Ministries namely; Water Resources, Education, Agriculture, Health, Rural and Community Development, Environment and Works, Housing and Transport. Similarly, the capital spending of the State Ministry of Education (N471 million), Ministry of Higher Education (86 million) in 2009 were far below the recurrent cost for running the Government House, that is N1,221 billion. It is to this fiscal irresponsibility that Kano people said NO! during the last elections.
Therefore, the conduct of governance during the last 8 years was far from making Kano a model State. Leadership style could not rise to the need for actualizing the dream and aspiration of the Kano people. Despite the huge financial resources received from the Federation Account and the population endownment of Kano State, the potentials and strength of its people were not harnessed to the fullest, thereby betraying the yearning of the people of Kano to have their affairs truly ran on the basis of the Shariah and transform the fortune of the State for the collective well being of the populace.
It is an indelible record of history that the Shariah was launched in Kano State during any first tenure, at an occasion, which witnessed the largest gathering in the Nigerian history. We ensured the existence of a legislation enforcing compliance with the Shariah not only in the conduct of governance but as a way of life to all Muslims in the State. We established the Hisbah and set the machinery for a systematic and gradual implementation of the Shariah via evolvement of relevant institutions that will sustain Shariah implementation under peaceful co-existence in our State. This time around, we shall contine to jealously, guard Shariah implementation in the State, consolidate upon our previous efforts and ensure that is works. Conversely however, during the last 8years, statistics indicate that the whole financial commitment of the previous Administration on Shariah Implementation Agencies is not up to its staggering spending in frivolous hotels bills.
But when we lost election in 2003, surprisingly, this God-fearing effort of Shariah implementation by our administration was tainted by our successors who ventured into deceitful propaganda and established hollow institutions in the name of the Shariah implementation, with hardly any evidence for a sincere commitment. For instance, the Zakkat and Hubsi Commission could not collect and distribute Zakkat as a fundamental pillar of Islam in accordance with the dictate of the Shariah. Little wonder therefore, the people could not repose confidence to such a gimmick spree Government, let alone the institutions it half heartedly established. Therefore the wealthy members of the society could not entrust their Zakkat to an institution with no credible arrangement for trust and transparency.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to take you yet again to what led to tody’s expression of monumental victory for our great party, the PDP in Kano State. As I recall with deep sense of satisfaction the major programmes undertaken during my first tenure in the following sectors:
EDUCTION:
Our administration introduced free-feeding and uniform to primary school pupils in the State. We equally introduced re-boarding to Girls secondary schools for the improvement of Girls-child education. During this period, Kano University of Technology was established. As a measure to overhaul infrastructural facilities in our primary and secondary schools, we rehabilitated these schools throughout the State through the activities of the Community Re-orientation Committee (CRC) and ensured the provision of teaching materials to both primary and secondary schools in Kano State. Also rehabilitated and up-graded was the Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso and improved its intake of students from a little over 500 to over 11,000 and ensured the recruitment of sufficient teaching personnel. Aminu Kano College of Islamic, Legal Studies (AKCILS) as well as Audu Bako College of Agriculture Dambatta was given autonomy for improved education quality. With a view to improving student potentials, we introduced procurement and distribution of JAMB forms, training and placement to fill the quota of Kano State indigenes in all the tertiary institutions of learning across the country. School of Environmental Studies in Gwarzo was established in order to enhance sound environmental management. Murtala Muhammad Library Complex was completed with books and all other essential requirements as a learning reference centre to meet the need of our students.
HEALTH:
Health being the major determinant of the well-being of all societies, it was accorded priority attention during our first tenure. We introduced free ante-natal and post-natal care which led to the reduction of maternal mortality rate to below national average. Similarly, it reduced the infants’ mortality rate considerably. Mobile clinics were introduced in order to provide effective healthcare delivery services to the hitherto inaccessible rural populace to health facilities. All General Hospitals, Comprehensive Health Centres and Cottage Clinics were rehabilitated comprehensively and equipped for provision of quality healthcare services to our people. As a measure of encouraging the training of indigenous Doctors as well as safeguarding against the syndrome of brain drain, we placed medical students on GL 07 salary grade from their 3rd academic year.
Conscious of the need of effective service delivery by health personnel to our teeming populace, we emphasized the culture of paying unscheduled visits to Health institutions with a view to ensure compliance with standard.
AGRICULURE:
As Agriculture is the main stay of Kano economy and major source of employment of the majority of our people, it was given deserving priority with the sole objective of improving agricultural productivity in the State. Accordingly, we ensured the revival of Kano State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO) to a formidable position unparallel in its history in the production and distribution of fertilizers to farmers at grassroot level at a subsidized price. In recognition of the Company’s viability, the Federal and other State Governments patronized its products in meeting the need of farming agricultural inputs. Having recognized the need for training and retraining of both farmers and agric extension workers for improved farming techniques with a view to improve agricultural yield and productivity, major farm training centres at Kano and Dambatta where rehabilitated and the Government partnered with Leventis Foundation at Panda for training of farmers.
WATER:
Water being essential to life, its availability in good drinking quality is necessary to the people. In an effort to boost water supply in the State, Tamburawa Regional Water Scheme was expanded by sinking 30 large boreholes and laying 1metre diameter ductile pipes with a view to improve water supply in the State. In addition, all Regional Water Schemes were rehabilitated for improved efficiency. Furthermore, we established a new water works at Guzu-guzu any other town and villages. For the first time in history, quality pipe born water reached the people of Rano and Kunchi.
HOUSING:
Having recognized the need for shelter to our teeming populace, we ensured the acquisition and completion of Housing EState at Danladi Nasidi and Zawaciki and constructed Ibrahim Kunya Housing EState at Farawa. In order to provide for urban shopping needs, urban shops at Mallam Kato Square, Airport and BUK roads etc, where constructed to meet the ever-growing urban needs.
ENVIRONMENT:
In the area of enhanced Environmental Management specifically in the area of Municipal Solid Waste Collection and disposal, we procured specialized Refuse Collection and disposal vehicles that improved the operational efficiency of the Ministry of Environment which we initiated its establishment in 1999. It could be recall that during our first tenure, we tackled the problem of refuse collection bedeviling Sabon Gari area and many other locations within the metropolis. This time around, we are equally faced with a more serious challenge as performance in this area has been very woeful. Furthermore, we gave significant leap and concerns to environmental management related Public Health by re-introduction of the service of Sanitary Health Inspectors for improved domestic and occupational Health conditions in our State.
GENERAL INFRASTRUCTURE:
Committed to the transformation of the rural areas, we executed electrification projects for over 600 towns and villages in 4 years. This feat is over and above all projects undertaken by successive administrations in the State put together in this sector. In the same vein, we constructed urban roads to ease traffic congestions in the metropolis via urban renewal programme and as well constructed rural roads that linked communities with major towns in the State. In order to provide access to hitherto cut off communities during rainy seasons and avert lost of lives, we constructed 12 large bridges e.g Challawa-Garu linking Kumbotso and Madobi Local Government Areas, Saye in Bichi Local Government Area, Dunbulum in Tsanyawa Local Government Area, Garanga in Kibiya e.t.c. It is heart warming to indicate that in order to give Government House a befitting structure, we rehabilitated and up-graded Government House, Kano to its present State. It is hoped that we will meet it as intact as we left it. The long abandoned KSIP project at Kofar Nassarawa was completed, commissioned and named as Ado Bayero House. We constructed Malam Aminu Kano House in Abuja in order to provide for a befitting Governor’s Lodge. We completed the construction of block 5 at Audu Bako Secretariat in order to meet the need of office accommodation for MDAs. Similarly, we undertook the rehabilitation of all offices of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the State.
Land Certification Programme for both urban and rural land holdings to assist people to develop credit worthiness for entrepreneurship development was also embarked upon.
COMMERCE AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES:
Kano State being the most populous State in the federation is endowed with young men and women who constitute majority of the populace and most of whom are unemployed. In order to create the enabling environment for the development of their potentials and talents, we initiated various empowerment programmes which include the ‘Lafiya Jari’, provision of N5,000.00 empowerment capital for women, vocational training to youth at Sani Abacha Vocational Training Institute and the provision of empowerment materials to the trained youth, establishment micro-credit Scheme to Small Scale Entrepreneurs and Businesses, procurement and distribution of work bulls to farmers e.t.c.
COMMUNICATION:
In order to improve the capacity of Government’s Agencies of mass media, we rehabilitated Radio Kano by procurement of new transmitters, while Abubakar Rimi Television was equally rehabilitated and up-graded with modern equipments and the Triumph Publishing Company was rehabilitated and re-equipped with modern printing machines.
FEDERAL PROJECTS:
Conscious of the fact that under the Nigerian Federal arrangement, federating States must strive to attract Federal Government programmes and projects that are expected to be sited across the country, we made deliberate and concerted efforts by canvassing for the following Federal Government projects executed in Kano State: -
i. The N10 billion Lamba-Kunchi-Kazaure Road
ii. The Eastern Bye-Pass Road
iii. Kano Irrigation Project Phase II at Imawa and Dan-Hassan
iv. Multi-billion Naira inter-State irrigation scheme at Gari/Kazaure
v. Rural Electrification and Primary Health Centres Projects in many Local Government Areas in the State
vi. Construction of many Boreholes
vii. Up-grading of Aminu Kano International Airport’s Domestic Wing, the Tarmac and the Runways;
viii. Establishment of Export Processing Zone at Panisau in Ungogo Local Government and Kanye in Kabo Local Government Areas;
ix. We have secured so many federal appointments for Kano State indigenes in the public service of the federation.
NEW PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS:
Conscious of the formidable challenge before us and the unprecedented expectations by the good people of Kano State over our determination to emancipate Kano State out of its present State of economic malaise, political misdirection and overall social decay, I am cognizance of the fact that the primary question that bogs the minds of people today is not only who forms Government but who makes Government works. Our mission is to transform Kano State back to its leading role amongst States of the Federation in most spheres of human endeavou. I am confident that Kano State has all it takes in terms of committed population that once placed it high as indomitable centre of commerce, industry, learning and a rendezvous of political, cultural and religious activities in Nigeria. We have a collective determination to bring out the best from ourselves and our good people through honest and transparent leadership that is committed to laudable ideals devoid of deceit and financial recklessness. We shall lead people of our great State through an open door governance, taking into account the aggregated varied views of people in the articulation, formulation and implementation of Government policies and programmes, so that Government is indeed made to be people’s oriented and wholly accountable to them. We shall in the pursuit of our operational philosophy of governance strive to create conducive atmosphere for providing citizens with the basic necessities of life and developing their spiritual, moral, economic and intellectual capabilities to the fullest.
Government affairs shall be anchored once again on the objectives that lead people into happiness, prosperity and justice for all. Accordingly, from today this Government has reintroduced free feeding for primary schools, free uniform for primary one pupils and free maternity and ante-natal care. Furthermore, our Government shall give priority to the following:-
i. Re-introduction of vocational trainings for our teeming youth and women folk;
ii. Revival of the “Lafiya Jari” empowerment programme;
iii. Re-introduction of procurement and distribution of JAMB forms to deserving students;
iv. Training by emphasis to vocational curriculum in our secondary schools and placement of our students to fill the State quotas in tertiary institutions in the country;
v. Land certification programme for both urban and rural land holdings to assist peoples to develop credits worthiness for entrepreneurship development;
vi. Establishment of hospitality training institute with a view to training youth and women on various innovative trades and skills with a view to developing both the potentials and talents of rural and urban populace;
vii. Establishment of Sports Institute with a view to the developing hitherto non-harnessed talents of the youths and encourage sporting potentials of the populations of the State as an alternative source of employment to the youth;
viii. Un-utilized/idle public buildings will be converted to the much needed additional classroom facility to improve enrolment and give wider training access to our teeming youth;
ix. Rehabilitation and up-grading of Tudun-Maliki Special Education School for the physically challenged children and the set-up of a new reformatory school with modern curriculum for juvenile correction schemes;
x. Ensuring the supremacy of the rule of law so that legislations and all forms of laws shall apply to all citizens irrespective of their social standing;
xi. While noting the immense support the PDP enjoyed from the commercial motorcyclist “yan achaba” I want to assure them that this government will introduce programmes that seek to enhance the quality and welfare of the profession;
xii. It is pertinent to draw the attention of the people of kano State that no development or progress in any society can be possible with out people’s contributions to the lawful levies, fees and dues mandatory as citizens obligation for the development and well-being of the society. On this note, I hereby solicit the understanding and co operation of the good meaning citizens of kano State to pay all dues due to public coffers as and when due.
CONCLUSION
My dear people of Kano State, because of the prime position this administration accords to education and the health sectors and indeed the deplorable State and appalling conditions under which these vital sectors where subjected in the last eight years by the previous administration, I wish to State to you a staggering revelation by a study carried out by the department of international development of the United Kingdom in collaboration with the State Government which speaks volumes of the State of deterioration which the education and the health sectors were subjected to in the last 8 years.
Facts reveal that primary 4 pupils average performance in Kano State is 10% in English and 13% in mathematics, 4 out of every Kano Teacher scored between 0% to 20% in competence test: there are more than 100 children per classroom; 4 out of every 10 classes lack a useful black board; 5 out of 6 primary schools and ¼ of our junior secondary schools have no portable drinking water; there are 200 primary pupils per toilet in our schools and in Nassarawa Local Government in particular, the statistics is 1,200 pupils per toilet.
In the same State of hopelessness in the health sector, maternal mortality rate is 1025 per 100,000; which is almost twice the national average of 545. Kano State has been rated to have the highest of maternal mortality in Nigeria. Infant mortality rate is also similar in this direction. In the same vein, NDLEA record shows that Kano State has the highest record of drug addicts in the country.
I am therefore conscious of the arduous task to reverse these negative trends. Therefore, the expectation on us under the condition we found the State of affairs of our State is very heavy. Nevertheless, we would In-sha-Allah, as courageous men and women, rise to the expectation of Kano people. Towards complimenting this endeavor, I urge the good people of Kano State to play their parts as citizens, who work hard to achieve their aspirations by creating the enabling atmosphere for peaceful co-existence in the pursuit of happiness for all. Collectively, we should work together and pray to Almighty Allah (SWT) to deliver and guide us towards the successful implementation of our programmes, conceived in the best interest of our people and our great State. At this juncture, I wish to stress my desire and commitment to ensure the smooth implementation of our party’s programmes for the overall development of Kano State.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I can not conclude this address without extending my special gratitude to members of the Transition Committees for charting an enduring course of action that will lead to the development of our dear State. I also want pay a tribute to His Highness, the Emir of Kano, Alh. (Dr.) Ado Bayero for His fatherly support. Our Government will count on his continued, guidance and understanding at all times. Our gratitude to various religious bodies, security agencies, organized Labor groups, the media, youth associations, the womenfolk and indeed all residents of Kano State for their commitment and enthusiastic support to the course of peace and tranquility that pervaded the recent elections period. Similarly, I want to thank the registered political parties in the State that worked with us and eventually assisted us in ensuring the victory we have regained. I assure them that we would remain partners in bringing about positive development to our dear State.
Finally, I wish to call on those well meaning citizens of Kano State whom I contested with in the gubernatorial race to come and partner with this Government, so that, collectively we realize our dreams and aspirations for the development of our people and our great State.
I hope everybody will come together and cooperate with our administration to ensure continued peace and progress throughout our tenure, I wish us the very best of luck.
Allah ya yi mana jagora, Ameen.
Thank you and God bless.
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