From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Tarauni Federal Constituency, Hon. Hafiz Kawu Tarauni has justified the loan profile of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, insisting that it remains very healthy to the country’s economy.
Hon. Hafiz who spoke at Kano NUJ Press Centre, on Sunday, during the 2023 Dialogue Series with politicians organized by Kano NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, took a swipe at those criticizing Buhari’s quest for foreign loans.
Hon. Hafiz who was Personal Assistant on Economy in the office of the Vice President between 2015 and 2019, said Buhari was not borrowing to pay salaries like the previous administration under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, the Buhari’s administration was borrowing to execute critical infrastructural projects that have positive impacts on the economy.
“As a lawmaker, I know that most of the loans are taken to execute critical infrastructural projects. Some of these projects are done through build, operate and transfer. The Buhari adminsitartion is unlike the previous administrations who borrow to pay salaries,” he said.
The lawmaker who is seeking to represent his constituency for the second time at the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), also lauded Buhari’s administration for blocking leakages in the channels through which money flows in the system of governance, urging the incoming administration to maintain the tempo.
According to him, such steps by Buhari administration added value to the nation’s economic growth, adding that diversification of the economy through boosting the agricultural sector and opening more windows to revenue generation was another plus to the nation’s economic development under the Buhari’s administration.
He further described non-oil revenue generation as key to economic development for a country like Nigeria which has depended so much on oil for survival over the years.
Hon. Hafiz who promised to dwell more on human capital development if given the chance by his people to represent them at the lower chamber for the second time, said he has executed over 50 capital projects in his constituency ranging from road construction, education development, to primary healthcare.
According to him, these projects spread across the 10 Political Wards that made up Tarauni Federal Constituency.
Hon. Hafiz hinted that he has also sponsored a number of bills at the floor of the House, some of which include a bill to establish a Federal University of Agriculture in Tarauni, a bill to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Kano, a bill for the establishment of Entrepreneurship College in Kano, among others.
The lawmaker said he is also enhancing security of lives and property within his constituency by constant provision of logistics to the local vigilante group and the Nigeria Police Force.
He said he has also used his influence and good office to secure employments for the people, particularly youths, within his constituency in various ministries, agencies and parastatals, including the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, Army, Civil Defence, among others.
The young politician who does not hide his admiration to President Buhari’s administration, urged Nigerians to appreciate Buhari’s modest achievements, insisting that, “so far, so good, you know you cannot say that everything is hundred percent done right.
“The President Muhammadu Buhari government has transformed Nigeria in the area of critical infrastructure. You can feel the presence of critical infrastructure across the country—from East, South, West to the North.”
