Silence Would be Wrong, Even Dangerous Sometimes, By Nuhu Mohammed
Do we need to be silent all the time? No!!!
Our actions and inactions towards state developments, sometimes need appropriate and serious measures to meet up with the target.
Since 1999 when a civilian rule has re-established with a long duration compared with previous ones, silence is driving us backward, even causing us danger, it paved way for wrong decisions that we can not manage the benefits we should enjoy.
The government of Nigeria keeps awarding and re-awarding contracts to the state, but these projects have not been receiving appreciated gifts from people. The number of key infrastructural projects considered just counts the state among other states which are enjoying the benefit of existing governance. Baro Port, Nupeko – Patigi road, Rijau- Bangi -Tegina, Bida-Lambata, Kontagora dam, Zungeru road, Baro -Katcha -Again, Minna-Suleja road, Special Mission Force in Army Barrack Bida, the proposed railway from Baro to Abuja, etc. These are key important works that if completed the place called NIGER STATE will be a mega and smart city with political and economic attractions.
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Other states are facilitating the contracts to the extent that some governors used state resources to see the work done. For instance, the donation of thousands of bricks for the new EFCC Training College in Nasarawa state by the governor, El-Rifai constructed a road link to Dry port in Kaduna, Masari gave out the land for the University of Transportation, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos held a successful meeting to facilitate Lagos -Ibadan railway work. Just to mention a few.
Is Niger State doesn’t have the capacity and spirit of lobbying and facilitation?
With the caliber of people in the state, the state is more qualified for this struggle, it has former presidents, former governors both military and civilian, senators, ministers, ambassadors, reps, and first-class emirs all the nooks and crannies of the state.
In 2014 when the ecological funds were released for projects to the state, silence killed that important projects, and people suffered, as a result of the lack of execution. 2019 another opportunity was given to the state on ecological projects, the Royal Father Etsu Nupe managed his zone own very well, and now people of the communities are enjoying the facilitation. That shows facilitation is not a crime in democracy, but a way to make a set of goals actualized.
Our sitting-at-home actions towards lack of lobbying and facilitation are causing danger, and the economic activities do not look so attractive, because all the roads linked to the state are in sorry conditions, as getaways to other states.
Some lawmakers happened to say that the federal government includes a state in all its key projects but lack of facilitation causes delays. Last few days, federal lawmakers in the state have press brief that they will start engaging the federal government to complete all its work. This happened as a result of a protest organized by concerned youth over the bad conditions of the roads.
Are we not going to enjoy the work if facilitated and lobbied?
©Nuhu Mohammed, Nupe Center
