From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sadiq Wali, on Monday, told journalists that if elected, his administration will use the Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy to boost the economy of the state and restore the lost glory of Kano as the commercial nerve centre of the North.
Wali, who was Commissioner for Water Resources for two and half years under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration, resigned his position to actualize his gubernatorial ambition under the PDP.
“Our team is prepared to build the economy. We believe in Public Private Partnership. Kano is private sector driven. Most of our Kano citizens are very industrous and we need to encourage them. All they need is support from government ,” he said.
Citing China as an example, Wali said Kano under his administration will become economically indpenedent as his administration will have the mandate to encourage and promote small scale businesses and local/indigenous industrialization.
“This was how countries like China developed their economy. We will come up with policies that promote local industries, we will discourage those policies that close down our local industries,” he added.
He also promised that if elected, his administration will encourage direct foreign investment for the betterment of the state’s economic growth.
He said he will use several years of his experience in the private sector to not only provide quality leadership to the people of Kano State, but also grow the economy through reformed Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) system.
According to him, any government that has the development of the state at heart prioritizes infrastructural development in areas where commercial and business activities are booming, so as to make way for economic growth and increase the drive for revenue generation.
He argued that the infrastructural facilities such as roads continue to dilapidate because of the increasing population in urban areas, “we need to expand and build infrastractural facilities in local areas where you have competitive opportunities.”
The PDP gubernatorial candidate promised that his administration will ensure rural urbanization so as to decongest increasing population in the city and as well, ensure even development by building required infrastructure and industries in local areas where raw materials and human resources are readily available.
He also mentioned part of his team’s agenda to include Social Service Reforms (SSR), pointing out that it is about re-orientation, it is about re-focusing the mindset of the people, “we are coming into government for implementation, sustainability and wealth creation.”
Wali also spoke about a nagging need for reforms in the state education system, among other sectors.
Responding to questions on how they are managing the internal crisis rocking the PDP in the state, the gubernitorial candidate who did not deny the fact that there are issues to settle among stakeholders and members of the party, insisted that Kano PDP has currently embraced the principles of justice and equity.
According to him, “we are rebuilding our party, and we are waxing stronger everyday. We are building a party where there will be justice and equity.
“In Kano PDP today, there is equity. We come together on a roundtable, we argue issues, but at the end of the day, everybody is carried along.
“As long as you are willing to come to promote the interest of the party, you are welcome. We welcome everybody that is willing to come and promote the party. We are not driving anybody away. “
