CENTER FOR COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE SPEAKS ON ZAMFARA ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Today  29th May,2020 marked the first anniversary of present administration in Zamfara State on the saddle of leadership.The 24th of May,2019 will forever remain fresh in the history of Zamfara people and well wishers, being the day,the Supreme court of Nigeria declared the election of all the candidates of the then ruling APC in the state as null and void.The supreme court verdict ushered the candidates of PDP to replaced the APC candidates being the second party with highest votes and “spread” as pronounced by the court.

The judgement of the supreme court came to Zamfara people as a succour and liberation from the gripped of a political dynasty that turned Zamfara state to a private and personal entity by Yari and his cohorts.The emergence of HE.Bello Mohammed Matawalle as the Executive Governor of Zamfara State became as a relief to Zamfara people.The people welcome the new leadership with much gratitude and appreciation with full hope and confidence of having a positive change.

The first step taken by Matawalle’s administration was on the area of maintaining peace and security which eluded Zamfara state for the past eight years.The government initiated a peace accord with the bandits that has been terrorising the state for quite long.The accord led to the returning of relative peace and security in the state as the spate of mass atrocities reduces to the minimum level.It also led to the rescue of hundreds of kidnapped victims in the state as well as returned of thousands of displaced persons to their various deserted communities.

The government also came up with various developmental projects in the state which are expected from any responsible government in accordance with section 14(1)b of the 1999 Nigeria constitution as amended, which make government responsible for welfare of people and protection of lives and properties.

The government started on good trend and good will from all and sundry in the state and beyond.The achievements recorded by the government are visible and commendable in most ramifications.The rest is for the people to judge.

However,along the way,the government is engulfed with some challenges that slow down the phase of the development projects earlier initiated.Some of these problems are natural while the majority are man made or politically induced.Below are some of the challenges and recommendations for those at the helm of affairs to take note and take necessary corrections as well as measures to avoid reoccurrence:

1. The government first problem was internal, by giving more emphasis on receiving decampes from other opposition parties in the state barely less than three months on the saddle of leadership.This situation created hatred and acrinomy between the bonifide PDP members and the decampes.The bonifide PDP members felt aggrieved for the government giving more attention and juicy appointments to some individuals that reaped what they have not sowed.This led to division of the party members along parallel groups and rejection of appointments by some heavy weights in the ruling party.However,it may be another political strategy or calculation from the side of the government.

2. The government inability to fully  implement former IGP (M.D. Abubakar) committe report recommendations on the mass atrocities committed by armed bandits in Zamfara state is another challenge that denied justice to the victims and communities affected.The report indicted many individuals from traditional rulers, security agencies,politicians etc and recommended for their prosecution in order to serve as deterrent to others.But unfortunately,the people indicted are still moving freely despite the glaring evidences against them which led to the death, kidnapping,raping and maiming of several people and communities in Zamfara State.”Justice delayed is justice denied”

3. The peace accord signed with the bandits is a welcome development. However,there is a gap in government inability to come up with a plan or blueprint for the reorientation, rehabilitation, reintegration and empowerment of the repented bandits. This is necessary in order to change their thinking, behaviours, attitude and perceptions.It is also timely for continuity and sustainability of the peace accord in Zamfara State.

4. The government is also been accused of being intolerant to opposition and constructive criticism which led to arrest and detention of various individuals in the state for one reason or the other.Therefore,the government is expected to understand that, opposition and constructive criticism are essential and unavoidable elements in democracy.They should be tolerant and view all criticisms based on facts and merit in order to make necessary adjustments and avoid heating the polity.

5. Lack of proper coordination and synergy is another challenge affecting the smooth running of the government.The actions and utterances of some political office holders is an issue of  great concern.It clearly demonstrated lack of administrative skills and understanding the system mode of operation.Therefore, there is need for orientation as well as on the job trainings and capacity building for the political office holders in Zamfara state.

6. On the issue of planning and designing of development projects,the government should as a matter of necessity always come up with projects that will benefit majority of the populace.It should be noted that the idea of building new 146 health facilities planned by the government is not a good idea as we have over 600 health facilities in the state.Iam of the opinion that,the existing health facilities should be renovated and equipt with necessary  required equipments and personnel rather than building new ones.This will strengthen the health system in the state.This is also applicable to the government plan to build 14 Governor’s lodges at 14 LGAs.

7. The government is also advise to avoid unnecessary policy statements that will add burden to the government considering the financial implications involved as well as the current state, national and global financial realities.The government as a matter of fact, necessity and urgency should revise the 2020 annual budget to be in tandem with present economic realities for effective and efficient services delivery for the benefit of common man in Zamfara state.This is timely in order to avoid huge budget deficit and unnecessary taking of loans and bonds from financial institutions to implement the budget.

8. There is also a need for the diversification of economy in Zamfara state in order to reduce the dependence on Federal allocation.The state is blessed with abundant natural resources and fertile land for agricultural purposes.The state need to invest on solid minerals and agriculture as well as devise a means of sourcing more internally generated revenue in the state.This is long overdue but not yet late.

Finally,I want use this opportunity to advice the state governor on the importance of conducting need assessment before embarking on developmental projects
.This is important in order to avoid misplacement of priority and wastage of scarce resources on projects that has no meaningful value and benefits to the common man.We should institute the culture of value for money. MAY ALLAH BLESSED ZAMFARA STATE.AMIN!!!

aakotorkoshi@yahoo.com.