By; Amb ISHAQ MSANI
As the administration approaches its first 100 days in office, the newly inaugurated commissioners as members of the state executive council and various appointees have reinstated the realization of the Uba Sani Sustain manifesto with an unprecedented commitment to the full implementation of the Kaduna State’s progress continuity agenda which is centered on Safety and Security, Upgrade of Infrastructure, Strengthening institutions, Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Investment in Human Capital and Nurturing Citizens Engagement.
Interestingly, Governor Uba Sani has of no doubt, rolled out an inclusive principle of governance which is necessary on all appointees to abide with, towards the effective public service delivery of the Sustain agenda and are expected to provide a solid foundation for a more sustainable Kaduna State. No doubt that, the current administration envisions a public service system with qualified and motivated workforce who must be efficient in delivering exceptional public service for citizen welfare and socio-economic growth.
And to achieve the 7-point agenda, dedicated public service, with skilled personnels who are committed to the public good became imperative to sustain the growth and development of the greater Kaduna.
Indisputably, proven track records, skills and competences, as well as dedication and commitment to the service of the good people of Kaduna State could be seen as a major milestone in the journey of the current administration in view of the fact that those who made it to the cabinet were considered based on merit. The journey requires the combine effort of both technocrats and politicians needed to prioritise good governance, accountability, transparency and inclusiveness.
Also, as the necessary permutation and combination is been done, the social contract between Governor Uba Sani and the populace lies on the Seven-point agenda of which as the State Chief Executive officer had re-emphasised the details of his governance agenda through the well articulated Sustain manifesto.
Consequently, in reaffirming the relentless commitment of Governor Uba Sani to the well-being of the good people of Kaduna state, it is also crucial that the new commissioners and appointees onboard need to adopt an all-inclusive approach to the mandate reposed on them and by extension must build a spirit of teamwork, collaboration and see everybody as important; prioritize innovative solutions most importantly in bringing succor to the bunch of problems faced by the poor and vulnerable as the bedrock of their respective approach.
Accordingly, as we continue to loud the steps taken so far such as the youth and women inclusion drive, the Qatar mega-economic city to accommodate 500,000 poor and vulnerables intervention, Google partnership to train 5,000 women in tech-skills, signing of critical bills into law and executive orders among several developments recorded.
Top on the agenda is boosting the state economy by business partnering and support for business class is necessary as Kaduna faces twin setbacks of poverty and unemployment. Going by the 2019 edition of the Nigerian Living Standards Survey (NLSS), the official measure of poverty in the country compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), with Kaduna recording (43.5 per cent) and the United Nation’s Global Multidimensional Poverty Index maintained that, 44% of the population in Kaduna are in extreme poverty. That is, for every 100 people living in Kaduna, 44 people do not have access to health, education and essential living resources like water, housing, and food.
The State has a combined rate of 73% for unemployment and underemployment, ranking second in Nigeria behind Imo State. That means only 27 people are fully employed out of every 100 living in the State. Although, Nigeria’s double-dip economic downturn and global security and economic crisis has contributed to making the country maintain its poverty capital status for the second successive year. However, the State has also been wrestling with insecurity amidst the present subisidy removal and worsening inflation like many other states.
To change the narrative, deepening the state economy through incentives and an enabling environment for the business class is necessary, and as such; Governor Mal Uba Sani is doing just that and committed to doing more. Here, the class covers the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and the market operators across gender. The current leadership must introduce policies that will increase the state GDP through prosperity of the business community. In return, a booming state economy will employ more job seekers and enhance tax revenues to bridge the infrastructure deficit in line with the sustain manifesto.
Subsequently, the good people of Kaduna state are looking into the sustainability mantra for enhanced workers’ welfare, salaries, gratuities, and pensions. This is because there is close link between formal and informal workforce in Kaduna State. When state workers are well treated, the informal sector booms as Kaduna is for now almost a civil service state.
So in the journey ahead it is expected that the state’s MDAs policy framework need to be mindful of the likely impact on workers, both within and out of public service. Policies and programmes should be workers’ friendly.
Moreover, in a period of economic uncertainties and as the governor admonished to cutting down on cost of governance and ostentatious lifestyle; our new commissioners and appointees in Kaduna need to utilize money serving the people through homegrown infrastructure policies. Kaduna state has achieved multi-billion-naira capital flight in the last 8 years through de-localisation.
This implies the government patronizing local suppliers and contractors. State fund thus ought to revolves within the local economy, deepening state growth and ensuring local economy expansion. Infrastructure gaps can be addressed through local affordable options. Part of localisation should be through direct labour policy, this reduces cost of projects, ensures standard monitoring, creates local jobs and empower local business class.
The current-crop set of public actors of the state executive council therefore must avoid exporting contracts and services outside the state except where there is no local alternative. We must not repeat the shortcomings of the past which were responsible for the present precarious state as both state and non-state actors maintained.
In the light of the foregoing, People-focused social policy through skill-based education, affordable health care, state security, and social security support: Kaduna was in the past a victim of fanciful policy designs which neglected the people and relegated their interests to the background.
The administration must run a people-centric government. Have it in minds that the principal goal of government is the welfare of the people. So there must be insurance for continuous reforms in education, health, women and youth sectors that positively impact on the people. As politicians, it makes sense for leaders to genuinely serve the people. The people voted for this government constitutionally as governments are set up for the welfare of the citizenry.
Furthermore, in the short run; Agro-based Industrialisation for wealth and job creation for youths and women be prioritized, Kaduna is a state blessed with multiple resources as a traditionally agricultural state. Part of the states’s focus on Industrialisation efforts should be agriculturally based.
In addition to other sectors such as fiscal management, solid minerals, Housing/urban and social development, environmental sustainability, creating industrial parks, boost agriculture processing zones alongside the free trade zones. The target should be the development of value chains of agricultural products to access local and international markets. This will energize and engage our women and youth and transform Kaduna from its present civil service status to self-employment and food security.
Hence, it is expected that all appointees need to uphold the basic principles of responsiveness in Governance as all conduct injurious to the welfare of the public should be avoided and remain of the people, by the people and for the people at all times to the yearning and aspiration of the citizenry.
Honesty and integrity in public service by been above board to reinforce public trust through Prudence in Governance especially in times of the current national economic emergency, most notably the subsidy removal of petrol that continue to generate pressure on all sectors of the economy which can be achieved by adopting measures that reduces cost of projects and services as reiterated by the Governor.
The era of achieving much with little resources is now. This much that the Uba Sani administration upholds.
Moreover, the current state executive council must also enhance Innovation in Governance, united team work, Bureaucratic harmony, respect for Due Process /Rule of Law which can all be achieved through careful implementation of problem-solving ideas within the framework of the seven point agenda amidst multiple governance question and financial constraints. Synergy and collaboration with a common goal to make a difference in the lives of the good people of Kaduna state. Leadership is about due process and rule of law and as such no cutting corners and compromises transparency and accountability.
Therefore, while lauding the partnership for development among the three arms of government, the appointees must dance to the tune of the Governor in continuous advocacy and sustenance of the close relationship among the executive, legislative and executive arms of government to achieve greater milestone of the sustain manifesto.
Finally, it is important to congratulate all the newly appointed commissioners and appointees as they pilot the affairs of their respective portfolios and pray that the Uba Sani administration succeeds.
Amb Ishaq MSani, a university lecturer, professional construction manager and advocate for good governance and accountability writes from Kaduna and can be reached via shaksonn@gmail.com.
