By; YUSUF ISHAKU GOJE
As citizens it is our civic responsibility to demand from and hold public officials accountable. In equal measure, we are expected to commend and encourage them when they are responsive and take responsibility. This is because democracy is not about ‘them versus us,’ it is about collective consensus and action towards social justice and inclusive development.
Many of us called out the government when power supply was first cut-off for over five months on Kafanchan campus and recently the main campus of the Kaduna State University (KASU). The result of the debt of about N177.3 million owed the University by Kaduna Electric Company (KADECO). This was after realizing that the University management was in no financial position to settle the debt, despite paying N12 million. As the State 2023 budget shows, only N30 million was provided for electricity charges.
The students demonstrated peacefully under the Joint Leadership of the Kaduna State University Kafanchan Campus, articles were written by civil society actors like Abdul Usman Bako, media platforms reported it for free and petition by the KASU Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), Kaduna Chapter, led by Dr. Adamu Peter.
This writer also wrote an article titled – A High Institution of Learning In Darkness, which also featured as special report on People’s Daily Newspaper. It elicited a rejoinder by the University PRO explaining the dilemma facing the management. The students of the Kafanchan campus, who suffered the blackout the most, had even wanted to boycott their examination in protest.
In view of the above background and now that the Governor has responded as captured in a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, it is duty bound to acknowledge and commend him for his responsiveness and show of empathy.
Excerpt of the release reads, “Kaduna State Governor, His Excellency Uba Sani has directed the immediate payment of all outstanding debts accrued from 2022 to the Kaduna Electric Company to enable the restoration of power supply to the Kafanchan and Kaduna Campuses of the Kaduna State University.”
It further stated, “Following the findings and recommendations of the Commissioner of Education, Governor Sani directed that all outstanding debts from 2022 be paid to ensure that power supply is restored to both campuses.”
What is gratifying is that the students that bore the burden of learning in darkness were elated to see the branded vehicle of KADECO drive into the Kafanchan Campus to begin the reconnection. Whether the response of the Governor was as a result of the above mentioned engagements is not the focus, but should be commended anyway for ameliorating the suffering of the students and staff.
Beyond commending the government for intervening, it is important to further call on the Governor to ensure accelerated reconnection due to ongoing examination and modalities are put in place to forestall a repeat of this embarrassing situation for a State with the motto: Center of Learning. Finally, the Governor should visit the campuses to assess the current state of infrastructure, furniture and learning environment in general for further interventions.
Lets engage, ask the right questions and hold the government accountable.
Yusuf Ishaku Goje is an Active Citizen
