By ABUBAKAR G. YA'U
CONSIDERING the circumstances and accumulated problems
enclosed by either politicians or leaders of Ungogo local government towards
the provision of social amenities and solving the societal problems, it is
of course a matter of necessity that make people to have it in their minds
that they need to see things on the ground.
However every Nigerian has the right to defend the
integrity and cultural background of his people or state.
Meanwhile, it is just against the political culture of
Kano people when a leader is to reject the provision of the basic
necessities of life such as portable water supply, electricity, education
and road construction. These are some of the primary needs of every Kano
citizens.
Government must consider such needs if it is to survive
and to attract the attention of people as it is currently obtainable in Kano
state under the able leadership of Malam Ibrahim shekarau with the good help
of his guided lieutenants.
Some local governments in the state are trying their best
to meet the needs of their people. So also it is the same with the State
Assembly. And the members of the State Assembly are joining hands with the
local council bosses to see that development reaches those at the grassroots
level. But the reverse is the case in some local councils.
You will also find out that legislatures and executives
are trying to create political crisis rather than finding out the solution
of their societal problems.
By close examining the situation in Ungogo local
government Kano state, one could come up with conclusion that what I said
earlier manifests in this local council.
It is clearly and generally accepted that the local
government is in mess and the masses are at the receiving end.
It is of course the responsibility of all the state
government and the public in general to give a helping hand in solving the
problems and support the local government to meet all other challengers I
can even put it this way that the problems are more or less between the
protagonists and antagonists of the power that be in the local council.
Some people are of the opinion that since the creation of
the local government has not been receiving serious attention by the state
government. And is enough a reason to restart the good and genuine
development of the local government. So the issue could also be seen this
way that, the state administrations in the past were not fair to Ungogo
local government. And that is a set back to the local council.
Our hope is the state government under Malam Shekarau
will do everything possible to see to the progress and development of the
local government. In fact, Ungogo is the less developed local government
compared to other metropolitan local governments. Some people might be
surprised and asked why Iam so concerned about Ungogo local government. I am
so concerned for the simple reason that the local government is fond of
loosing leaders that are interested in the development of the local
government. Leaders like the just suspended local council boss, Alhaji
Muhammad Falalu Umar.
The reader can be convinced that Alhaji Falalu is
interested in the development of education in the area. One can understand
that when he knows that the chairman converted a party secretariat to a
junior secondary school, named J.S.S Ungogo. In the process of my
investigation, I came across some projects that were executed by Hon. Umar,
which to my own understanding will help to stop flooding since the area is
one of the affected areas last year. Such projects involve, the drainage
constructions at Ungogo, Dan Rimi, Yankuje, Z/Dan Baba and the construction
of Katsinawa road, T/Fulani, Chiromawa to Jajira road and bridge, Garba
Kazaure Ring culvert along Karo road and layin Yan Sumogal at Ungogo. These
are nice and commendable projects that supposed to be supported all the
time. But this should not stop the clearly focused electorates to make
constructive criticism in the way the government is operating.
The chairman also tried in the construction of boreholes
at Katsinawa, electrical extention at Z/Danbaba and fencing of grave yard at
Panisau. Indeed these are among the many things he has done in less than 6
months of his tenure, but the situations in the local government may put a
halt to such developmental projects if good care is not taken.
We are therefore of the opinion that all the elected
representatives of the local government, right from the local government
level to the federal government should come to its rescues. The electorates
that are from Ungogo local government are always eager to hear the voices of
their representatives both at the state and the national level. As it is the
case with other representatives. It is also prayed that the politicians that
hailed from Ungogo will bury their hatches in an effort to forge their local
government ahead. In the absence of unity among the politicians, there could
be no healthy political development. So, as a result, the widely pronounced
party differences should pleased be set aside. With this, things will be
equals.
As a matter of genuine enthronement of a well structured
democracy. I think it is important for all the stakeholders in the local
government and other local governments in the state to please put heads
together and look for a viable way of putting all the necessary structures
in place. By so doing I am quite sure that there will be progress and
development in all the local governments. I am also appealing the
politicians especially in Ungogo local government to please find a way of
exhibiting political rivalry and opposition in a more saner way. It is only
through this approach that the poor electorates will see reason in the way
politics is being played in their society. Politics should not be seen as a
way of destabilizing structures and sub-structures of the society. All we
need is good and well mannered political practice. Only then we can prove to
the world that yes democracy is far better than military dictatorships.
