Some residents of Kaduna state have commended the urban renewal projects of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai led administration being inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari arrived Kaduna Wednesday night for a two-day working visit, to inaugurate various projects in three major towns of Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, said that the key projects included the re-modeled Murtala Muhammed Square, Infectious Disease Hospital, and Dangote Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd, all in Kaduna.
Others are the Sabon Gari market in Zaria, including 19 road projects in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan towns, most prominent of them being the Kawo flyover.
Speaking in separate interviews with NAN in Kaduna on Thursday, the residents said that the projects was an indication of El-Rufai’s commitment to make the state great again.
One of the residents, Mr Mohammed Musa said that the projects have improved critical infrastructure like roads which have eased movement of people in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan towns.
Musa said that the projects have equally changed the face of Kaduna and the other towns, saying “they are looking like the true urban centres they ought to be.
“This is quite commendable, and we urged the El-Rufai administration to complete all ongoing projects before the tenure ends in 2023.”
Another resident, Mr Steven Waya, said that the projects have completely transformed Kaduna town in particular, making it one of the most attractive towns in northern part of the country.
Waya, however, said that the expectations of the residents were for the projects to translate to tangible life lifting outcomes for the citizens of the state.
Also, Mr Yusuf Goje, said that the urban transformation, even though executed at a huge cost, was evidently visible to residents, visitors and both critics and supporters of the government.
Goje, also cautioned that as the government and residents celebrate the development, the real purpose of the projects should not be lost in the jubilation.
“We must note that the projects are not an end in themselves, but a means to a desired end.
“Therefore, let us analyse them beyond the obvious so that we do not only focus on project outputs to the detriment of the target development outcomes.
“Beyond the fanfare, the state government educates the residents as to how these projects are going to reduce poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, child and maternal maternity, and insecurity among other issues.
He pointed out the goal of building a hospital for example was beyond just the beautiful structure but saving lives and avoiding preventable death from preventable diseases.
He added that attention should also be given to the number of jobs the projects have created, people that have been employed, number of micro and small businesses created.
“We also want to know the number of people the projects have taken out of poverty or could be taken out of poverty as well as equitably distribution of the projects
“The questions should be put side by side the total amount spent in executing the projects to ensure value for money,” he said.