(Saturday Feature Story)
It is no longer a new story to tell that Gusau the capital city of Zamfara is wearing a fresh new look with massive road infrastructures adoring in every part of the city.
The road network projects linking various parts of the ancient city speaks volume about the new vision the government of Dauda Lawal has in transforming the seat of power.
The road network, for instance, from Gada Biyu entry point to Bello Bara’u one will have to argue in the affirmative that the city of Gusau is becoming competitive, especially at the night.
The beautiful outlooks of the street lightening, the removal of the old age round about squares, its replacement with befitting squares and construction of standard drainages speak volumes about the city renewal strategy by Dauda Lawal administration.
The road linking Id-el prayer ground to that of Tudun Wada which is undergoing repair, is also a good step, especially considering how strategic the road is.
The Lalan to Gusau hotel round about linking to Tudun Wada round about is also one of the strategic roads that has been crying for government attention.
The mega culvert under construction along the entry of Gusau Water Board is such a very critical project required to address the artificial flooding which has been a reoccurring one during every rainy season.
The development of the old market road linking to the Gusau Emir’s palace up to Yoruba mosque and the other linked to Anguwar Toka is also another significant portion of Gusau roads that are begging for attention.
The award of the road project linking Gusau with Dansadau is a significant step towards expanding the scope of genuine development for Gusau as we anticipated that after the road project the long term awaited ring-road extension of Gusau would often be embarked by the Governor.
The provision made in the 2025 appropriation act which targeted many Gusau township roads is also another good step that will help in widening the scope of road infrastructures in the capital city.
The urban renewal in 2024 is however not limited to road infrastructures alone; hence substantial attention has been accorded to rehabilitation of secondary health facilities in logical governments such as Maradun and Maru which have been completed upgrading of Anka General Hospital, Bukkuyum, Kaura Namoda and Gummi which are under reconstruction as well as upgrading of Talatar Mafara General hospital to the status of Specialist Hospital.
The upgrading of Yariman Bkura Specialist hospital Gusau, General Hospital Gusau and massive infrastructural development of facilities at King Fahad Hospital is a thing of pride, especially looking at the status of Zamfara Health indicators and what ought to be done.
In the education sector, the state government of Zamfara has been into massive infrastructure and whole school renovations programmes which help change the fortune of affairs in the education sector.
The renovation of over 400 schools infrastructures through effective collaboration with the AGILE project is a celebrated one because schools facilities, especially those at the basic levels, are wearing a celebrated look.
This is added to the ongoing total over-hauling of Zamfara State College of Arts and Science which is my almamata and a lot more intervention in secondary schools such as Science Gusau and in other local government councils.
The ongoing upgrade of Science Secondary School Gusau is also another giant steps toward rebranding the school which is a known center of learning that produces more competent and productive human resource across the nation.
But what will be the fate of urban renewal if this terrain is maintained? The story about Zamfara will surely change to that an environment with a renewed hope for brighter future.
What is most important for the government of Zamfara State now is to provide adequate security for this massive infrastructural investment made with the state resources especially knowing our culture of nonchalant attitude toward government investments.
It is important for the Governor to sign an executive order mandating a statutory agency to set a standard on how to make use of public infrastructure in Zamfara and his what punishment is provided for the defaulters.
Securing of drainages against dumping of refuse, misplacement of road infrastructures for drying of farm products or mixing or concrete for construction projects as well indiscriminate mounting of speed breakers by the residents.
If this is done our road infrastructures most particularly may last for some years and be maintained for generational purposes.
As for other local government councils I think the government shall be identical in mapping out projects that have direct bearing to the lives of the people of each council area.
The government should also work harder to sustain the momentum of implementing only citizens oriented projects so that its green flag can be lifted continually.
