If I am to become governor of Katsina State in 2015

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

I have followed the political terrain in Nigeria, and wondered what sort of politics we practice. Politics shall be based on policies and ideology, and I have failed to identify candidates campaigning base on articulated programmes and policies especially at states and local levels. Alas, the bargain is between Votes for Money. It should have been Votes for Policies/Programmes.

I kept wondering what would have been the policies/programmes that these politicians should have been trading in their campaigns? What would have been their campaign promises that voters can hold them accountable? I decided to put myself in their shoes, and said, “What if I am one of the contestants for a state governor, what would have been my policies and programmes if elected?”, and I have chosen my state, Katsina State, and came up with the followings as my programmes and policies to implement If I am to be the governor of Katsina State in 2015 (they are presented in no particular order):

1. Reduce Embezzlement: I will reduce my salary and allowances to my current entitlement as a university lecturer. I will abolish the office of the first lady. I will reduce the number cars in my convoy. I will reduce the number of political appointees. All political appointees will be paid according their entitlements in their last jobs.

2. Education: Review of the school’s curriculums, elimination of less relevant modules, and introduction of new curriculums to address current challenges and opportunities. Increase the salaries of primary and secondary school teachers to the level of Polytechnic lecturers, this is to attract best brains at the foundation levels. Provision of education loan to students that cannot afford to pay tuition fees/school fees (at all levels), with agreement to pay 10% of their monthly salaries when they get job until they pay off the loan (if anyone dies before he/she could pay off the loan is forgiven). Strict supervisions and assessments of teacher’s qualities and qualifications. Reshufflement of primary and secondary school teachers. Annual mandatory training of school teachers. Provision of modern teaching aids and facilities at all levels. Constant power supply in educational institutions through independent power sources. Invest more on the state university to make it Pan African University. All families of public servants and political appointees to compulsorily attend public schools.

3. Town Modernization and Sanitation: ancient and remote localities will be refurbished, wide roads to be constructed, all water ways (sewage) to be sealed, pavements on all pedestrian paths will be provided. Provision of waste bins at every 250 meters (depending on the concentration of people in an area), introduction of plastic bag charges (extra levy on importers of plastic bags) and fine for improper waste disposal. Construction of modern smart tollgates for revenue generation and security purpose. Street naming, house numbering, and postcodes will be introduced. Town decorations, removal of animals off streets, and total ban of child streets begging (Almajiri camp to be established, all their teachers to reside in the camp, the children will study and sleep in the camp, clothing/uniforms to be provided, religious and modern education also provided).

4. Agriculture: Provision of Mechanised farming facilities for all. Large-scale government farms where variety of crops are harvested, processed and packaged for commercial purposes. Government to rear animals, process and package the meat for commercial purposes. Revival the leather industry (hides and skins) for exports. The Agricultural sector shall be able to employ 60% of the unemployed youths in the state and farming will be all year round.

5. Energy: construction of wind turbines and solar panels for residential and commercial sectors, ban of 100 and 60 watts electric bulbs, free distribution and installation of prepaid electric meters, provision of more transformers, development of local dams to generate electricity, electric wires in new extensions to be sealed in the ground.

6. Social Welfare package: Social welfare package to orphans, widows, unemployed youths and elderly people will be introduced. Social work to be assigned to the unemployed youths whose social package will be for maximum of one year.

7. Transportations and Safety: Introduction of double decker public buses (affordable), youths to be trained and employed to drive these buses on shift bases, the buses will follow many different lines that cover every possible destination. Private investors will be subsidised to provide and run these types of buses. Introduction of maximum allowable local speed limits of 60klm/hr for single carriageway and 70klm/hr on dual carriageways. Introduction of traffic sign posts and speed detector bumps. The Road safety agency to be equipped with high speed vehicles and gadgets to monitor and ensure compliance of the policy. Introduction and strict enforcement of MoT which is a test of vehicle safety, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions (including cars, motorcycles and tricycles). All local mechanics to be assessed, licensed and supported to establish modern mechanic workshops. Consider the possibility of constructing railways and provide within and inter-state train transportation, this will be in partnership with neighbouring states.

8. Security: Introduction of CCTV cameras, special anti-bribery allowances to police, police patrols in every two hours in every locality. Provision of Police patrol vehicles. Capital punishments for criminal and corrupt offences. Prompt trials and rulings in courts.

9. Housing: Friendly and affordable housing policy, construction of more houses annually, and hugely subsidised for low and middle income earners. Encourage private developers to build more houses, and government will subsidise them for low and middle income earners. New extensions (for private developers) to be well planned and designed, and strict adherence enforced.

10. Health: review of health insurance policy to accommodate non-public workers, introduction of a policy/insurance to provide health services free/affordable for all. Free medical services from pregnancy to delivery. Introduction of government Pharmacies, improve accessibility to General Practitioners (GP), provision of direct line for booking appointments with GP, booking times from 8-10am. Emergency services provided 24/7. Provision of modern and well-equipped medical ambulances, direct lines for ambulances to be provided for all. Hospitals refurbishment, and provision of befitting and conducive facilities. Provision of constant power supply in hospitals at all time. Elimination of queues in hospitals, more doctors and health workers recruited. Provision of scholarship to medical students with a bond to work for Katsina state for ten years.

11. Youth Development and Sports: creation of youth development funds to develop their capacities and entrepreneurial skills. Grants to young entrepreneurs. Development and implementation of state youth policy, and annual youth summit. Youth recreational centres (conducive for leisure, entertainment, hospitality, Wi-Fi availability, sport viewing rooms, conference hall, meeting rooms etc). Annual sport competitions at different levels/stages (soccer, badminton, basket ball, handball, tennis etc). Upgrade of Katsina sports club to a standard world class sports centre, with indoor facilities. Partnership with foreign teams to sign local sports talents. Strong support to youth-led initiatives and youth councils. Establishment of youth parliament to train youths on leadership skills and governance. Annual youth award to appreciate hard working and exceptional youths as encouragements and inspiration to others. Young professional programmes to be established in all government and private organizations to train youth on different skills. Annual Youth Townhall meetings.

12. Potable water: provision of semi urban water supply scheme in every locality with distributing water pipes connecting every household.

13. Corporate governance and professionalism: All civil servants must be punctual, neat, dress corporately, be efficient, and to serve without fear or favour. Introduction of reward and punishment for avoidance and perpetuation of corruption respectively.

14. Hospitality: construction of world class 5 star hotel (and/or upgrade of Katsina Motel) to accommodate international investors, tourists and guests.

15. Online governance: active and interactive government website where people can visit to know about the activities of every government department and ministry. People will be able to contact public authorities to share ideas, make comments, and lodge complains. The website will be a data hub, where Research findings and data will be published and accessed.

16. Ultra-modern conference centre: world class conference centre will be constructed, this will enable hosting of many international and national events. It will serve as a source of revenue to the government.

17. Accessibility: I will make my mobile number known to everyone, and allocate times for direct calls and messages. Direct email address will also be provided where people can send letters and make contributions or comments. Quarterly visits to localities to meet people one on one to hear from them directly.

My Philosophy

The philosophies of my administration as a governor of Katsina State are as follows:
1. Honesty, transparency, and accountability
2. Empowering every citizen to realise his/her potential
3. Making Katsina state a global and national dream destination
4. Making Katsina State a model for modern cities in Africa
5. Constitutional democracy and social inclusion
6. Reduction of poverty
7. Socio-economic independence of Katsina State.

Every government activity or project must be in line with achieving one or more of the above philosophies.

I would like to ask my audience to compare my campaign policies and programmes with other contestants in all states and in all parties (where applicable). I unveiled my policies so that candidates will use it as a clue to develop more on their existing programmes.

I am your dreamed Governor in 2015.

Dr. Ahmed Adamu