By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
An opposition party stalwart from Southern part of Kaduna, Pama Historian Edward John Auta has said that the Kaduna State University (KASU), Kafanchan campus, the State owned School of Nursing, and that of college of Education Gidan Waya are lacking basic amenities, and access roads to these institutions located in Southern part of the state are all in deplorable conditions.
Pama Auta, an opposition stalwart from Narom Village of Zonkwa Ward, Zangon Kataf LGA, who made the revelations in a statement asserted that the affected institutions are in dire need of intervention.
This was contained in the release he personally issued and signed entitled: “Dear Governor Uba Sani, Our People Want Impact Over Perception”.
Earlier in the statement, Pama Auta acknowledged and appreciated that vehicles and cash donation and promise of bus and construction of access roads to the newly established Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, by the Kaduna State Government are laudable gestures.
He however lamented that state government’s swift investment in a newly established federal institution, while state-owned higher institutions are in dire need of intervention is ridiculous, saying charity begins at home.
According to Pama Auta, the efforts of Senator Barr. Sunday Marshall Katung and other respected leaders from Southern Kaduna zone in pushing for the President’s assent to the bill establishing the Applied Science University, and its immediate take-off, are truly commendable gesture.
“The news of a recent donation of two vehicles and cash (seed), as well as the promise of a bus and the construction of the access road to the newly established Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, by the Kaduna State Government is well noted and appreciated.
“Given the efforts of Senator Barr. Sunday Marshall Katung and other respected leaders from our zone in pushing for the President’s assent to the bill establishing the university and its immediate take-off, this gesture is truly commendable.
“However, charity begins at home. It is therefore ridiculous that you’re swiftly investing in a newly established federal institution while state-owned schools like the Kafanchan Campus of Kaduna State University, Kaduna State College of Nursing, and Kaduna College of Education, Gidan Waya, are in dire need of intervention.
“To be specific, the access roads to these institutions are deplorable, students’ hostels are in dire straits, basic amenities are lacking, and staff have embarked on several strikes and shut down the schools due to poor working conditions.
“As the governor with primary responsibility for these issues, prioritizing a federal institution (which is the primary responsibility of the Federal Government and for which budgetary provisions would be made in the 2025 supplementary or 2026 national budget) over state-owned schools is deeply concerning”, he stated.
He further stated that “In addition, Sir, you based your decision to make that intervention on the fact that the new federal school does not have a budgetary provision at the moment. Kindly clarify if your intervention in the school, which will amount to hundreds of millions or even billions of naira, was captured in the 2025 budget of the state or if you simply opted to spend the state’s resources without appropriation.
“Your Excellency, it is sad to note how you’re constituting yourself into a busybody who jumps to quench the fire in his neighbor’s house while the fire in his own house rages, simply in a desperate bid to earn public applause.
“You need to understand, or perhaps be reminded, that governing Kaduna State requires tact, not publicity stunts. Our people want tangible impact, not perceptions. We urge you to act with urgency in addressing the needs of state-owned schools as you are doing with the FUASK.
“Also, remember that the people of Kaduna State will hold you accountable for how you deploy and/or prioritize their resources toward their needs and not those of the federal government”, Auta stated.
Recalled that Governor Uba Sani led state government recently donated vehicles to Pro-chancellor and Vice chancellor of the Applied Science University and promised construction of access roads and to provide security for safe learning environment, a gesture well appreciated with jubilation in Southern kaduna.
