…Lists three years of gains in security, health, education, infrastructure
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
An independent support group of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has declared that the state is experiencing a turnaround in security, service delivery and development, saying “the story is changing, not in speeches, but in projects completed.”
The Dauda Lawal Engagement and Sensitisation Forum stated this on Saturday in Kaduna during a World Press Conference themed “Security, Service, and Sustainable Development: The Zamfara Story.”
The group, in a conference held in Kaduna, said it is not a government mouthpiece, but exists to “engage citizens, sensitise communities, and present facts so that the real work of governance in Zamfara is seen, understood, and fairly judged.”
Security gains
The forum said insecurity was the biggest threat three years ago, but the administration’s kinetic and non-kinetic approach has yielded results.
It cited improved synergy between the Army, Police, DSS, NSCDC and Community Protection Guards, town hall meetings, and support for local vigilance groups.
“Gusau-Funtua, Gusau-Sokoto, and Gusau-Tsafe highways are now more secure for travel. Major markets in Maradun, Anka, and Bukkuyum have reopened. Farmers in Gummi, Bakura, and Maru LGAs have returned to their farms. Kidnap incidents have dropped significantly in Zurmi and Shinkafi corridors,” the group said.
It added that the government has also provided vehicles, communication equipment, and welfare packages to frontline troops.
“We are not declaring total victory. But Zamfara is no longer under siege. Progress is real and measurable,” it added.
Health sector improvements
On health, the forum said the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau has undergone major rehabilitation with a new theatre, radiology unit, and dialysis centre now functional. General Hospitals in Kaura Namoda, Talata Mafara, Anka, and Maru have also been renovated with new wards, labs and solar power, they said.
According to them, 147 Primary Healthcare Centres are being rehabilitated across 14 LGAs, with 42 fully completed and commissioned. Examples include PHC Damba in Gusau, PHC Bagega in Anka, and PHC Nasarawar Burkullu in Bukkuyum.
Over 200,000 women and children have benefited from expanded free antenatal, delivery and under-5 care in the last 18 months.
Education reforms
The group reported the rehabilitation of 200 primary and secondary schools, including Government Girls Secondary School Gusau and Rabi’a Morlai Science College.
It said 2,500 teachers have been recruited and salary arrears cleared. Bursary payments to over 15,000 Zamfara students in tertiary institutions were also reactivated after three years.
In partnership with UBEC and NGOs, over 60,000 out-of-school children have been enrolled back in Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Maradun.
Infrastructure development
“The long-abandoned Zamfara Cargo Airport in Gusau has been completed, certified, and is now operational,” the forum announced.
Urban roads completed include 9.2km Gusau Township Roads Phase 1, dualisation of Sani Abacha Way, 5.1km Kaura Namoda roads, and 4.8km Talata Mafara roads.
Ongoing projects include Gusau-Tsafe-Funtua and Maru-Anka-Bagega roads. Over 80km of rural feeder roads have also been graded in Gummi, Bukkuyum, and Bungudu, it added.
The group also disclosed 15 new solar-powered boreholes and partnerships to improve electricity in Gusau and three other LGAs.
Welfare and economic interventions
On welfare, the forum said salaries are now paid on or before the 25th of every month, while N1.2 billion has been released to clear gratuity backlog for 2021-2023 retirees, benefiting over 3,400 pensioners.
In the economy, 10,000 bags of fertiliser, 200 tractors and improved seedlings were distributed. Fadama irrigation was revived in Bakura and Maradun. Five thousand youths were trained in ICT, tailoring and welding, with N500 million grants disbursed to 2,000 beneficiaries.
A N300 million microcredit scheme for women cooperatives was launched, with 30 per cent of political appointments going to women, they stated.
Call to media, investors
The forum said it toured projects and spoke to beneficiaries. “The Zamfara Cargo Airport is working. Hospitals that were shells are now treating patients. Roads that were impassable are now motorable. Salaries and pensions that were delayed are now paid,” it said.
It called on the media to “report the facts, visit the sites, ask questions,” urged citizens to protect the gains, and invited investors to “come and build with us.”
“We stand with Governor Dauda Lawal because leadership must be matched with truth, and truth demands that progress be acknowledged,” the group concluded, with a question and answer session.
