The special adviser to the Kebbi State governor on communication and strategy, Abdullahi Idris-Zuru, said in Birnin Kebbi on Monday that true democracy is measured by lasting infrastructure, not noise.

Mr Idris-Zuru noted that democracy should not be measured by the volume of noise but by how leadership uses policy to improve people’s standard of living and deliver enduring infrastructure.

“In any democratic administration, citizens expect high-quality, durable, and impactful projects that can stand the test of time — often called ‘landmark projects’,” he said.

The governor’s aide said Governor Nasir Idris’ administration’s landmark policies on agriculture, infrastructure, education, and health were built to stand the test of time.

“Let’s take Governor Idris’ administration as a case study. In the last three years, his foresight has shown a clear blend of capital-intensive infrastructure and direct-impact socio-economic programmes. Both, by every standard, qualify as landmark legacies,” he said.

According to him, as part of a deliberate policy in the current administration’s development blueprint, the governor has delivered new, valuable infrastructure, rolled out viable socio-economic programmes, and completed abandoned, inherited projects.

“The governor has also rehabilitated dilapidated structures left for over a decade. These efforts make his administration stand tall among others,” the aide revealed.

Mr Idris-Zuru cited projects such as the ultra-modern secretariat complex initiated by a previous administration and abandoned for over 10 years but now completed, equipped, and opened for government business.

This, he said, had distinguished the Idris administration from others.

He listed other legacy projects executed by the present government to include the ultra-modern motor park in Birnin Kebbi, Kauran Gwandu College of Midwifery Sciences in Ambursa, and a veterinary specialist hospital that would soon be fully equipped with modern facilities and specialists.

“These are projects that will stand the test of time. The veterinary clinic, built to international standards, will serve livestock producers, herders, and investors from Kebbi and neighbouring states.

“It is also expected to provide services that promote large-scale production of healthy livestock, which can eventually lead to the establishment of milk and beef processing factories in the state.

“This will increase the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR). The administration took over the 87km Koko-Zuru federal road linking Zuru, Fakai, Sakaba, and Danko/Wasagu LGAs,” he said.

The road, he said, had been abandoned for 10 years, adding that its deplorable condition not only cut off Zuru Emirate from the state capital and neighbouring communities, but also subjected residents to years of hardship and destroyed their economic fortunes.

“The reconstruction by the state government has now reached 70 per cent completion, reopening trade routes and restoring livelihoods,” he added.

Mr Idris-Zuru said under Mr Idris’ human capital and welfare programmes, durable initiatives with direct impact on lives could also be counted as landmarks.

“The education sector has received priority attention with the establishment of special mega secondary schools, one each in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru. The schools are designed to deliver quality education and skills acquisition for youth self-reliance.

“The governor’s input support policy, the first of its kind in Kebbi, has for three years enabled farmers to receive free fertilisers, certified seeds, solar-powered irrigation pumps, power tillers, insecticides, and herbicides at no cost.

“The health sector has also been transformed through a complete overhaul, the provision of modern medical equipment and manpower, and the establishment of four referral specialist hospitals in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru. Whether physical or programmatic, the projects and policies executed by Governor Idris in three years represent landmark and everlasting legacies,” the aide stated.

Mr Idris-Zuru added that by combining durable infrastructure with programmes that directly impact Kebbi people, reviving abandoned projects, completing critical roads, and implementing people-centred programmes with political will, Mr Idris had set a good example of leadership. 

(NAN)