EDITORIAL OPINION
High inflationary cost of basic social welfare commodities and services that reached an unprecedented level has forced governments to drastically evolve stringent measures to alleviate the pressure aimed at preventing social chaos. The measures were mostly taken by federal and state governments.
Statistical data recently released by National Bureau of Statistics, NBS. places Zamfara people among the worst affected victims of the current national calamity of hunger and abject poverty. Zamfara ‘s case is exercerbated by insecurity and other political problems bedeviling the state for about two decades.
Business and economic activities in the state continue to abysmally decline thereby inflicting severe hardship to the extent of lacking basic essential things of life support and sustenance. The pathetic situation which grossly affects all sections of social strata has, unfortunately, compelled many youths and family heads to migrate and abandon their dear ones due to absolute bankruptcy.
The gloomy portrait of Zamfara state as it prevails today is not pleasing to look at especially by outsiders who express different comments and sympathetic opinions about it. Philanthropic individuals and corporate organizations have in different ways helped the state government to cushion the devastating effects of hunger and poverty. This has been confirmed by Governor Dauda Lawal on different occasions. Similarly, the federal government had given palliatives for distribution to the people as a relief measure.
Definitely Governor Dauda knows the magnitude of the problems. He has been reemphasizing his government’s resolve and determination to rectify them through his “rescue mission”. The government, in this direction, seems to be effectively implementing its mission statement to the amazement of both its supporters and opponents.
The carefully established administrative and fiscal sanity in bureaucratic procedures introduced by the present administration is not only heartwarming but very encouraging.
It is indeed a sharp contrast and total departure from the well established ‘norm’ of the traditional and structural pattern of the state public service apparatus. The initiative has tremendously elevated the state’s infrastructural status to an appreciable level.
However, the Invisible INSIDER observes with dismay and apprehension how the government of Dr. Dauda Lawal hesitates to give equal or more prominence to the vital need of alleviating hunger and abject poverty retarding the state’s socio-economic progress. The excruciating pain and distress associated with the two diseases are relentless biting harder and causing emotional, physical and psychological trauma on the people’s collective morale. The administrative stakeholders know this very well.
We believe that any capital or infrastructural project embarked by governments is primarily meant to improve and facilitate living conditions of the people. It will therefore be a fatal mistake to underrate the provision of basic essential primary needs of people to provide secondary needs that may not even be useful to a significant percentage of the population.
As the situation presently prevails in the state, the government of Dr. Dauda Lawal should as a matter of urgency and dire need prioritize pressing issues above less important ones to demonstrate its understanding and utmost concern over the difficult survival challenges confronting people in the state. It should, to this end, emulate the state governments that fully and immediately implement salary and pension reforms in accord with national provisions and structure. It should also immediately provide moderately subsidised foodstuffs and easily accessible to the general public all over the state in addition to the federal government’s announced palliatives.
Zamfara people are grumbling and complaining bitterly. Obviously, their grievances follow their awareness and believe in state government’s ability to do the needful if it wants to. The grossly increased federation account monthly allocation accruing to the state in addition to other federal grants and financial benefits attest to the claim. The state government’s financial position is undoubtedly strong enough to take the responsibility squarely.
Definitely this is an all encompassing issue that transcends political devides. It is very sensitively serious that both government supporters and opponents unanimously disagree with the current strategy of Dr. Dauda Lawal’s social welfare in the face of existing harsh economic realities. The state government must act fast and boldly to show its resolve and commitment as normal incidents of emergency demand.
Surely governments can’t solve all public problems as they eventually arise. But they must be seen to strenuously take drastic, tangible appreciable measures to solve the most pressing and painful ones leading to loss of lives and stable health conditions. That’s why we find it sad and depressing over the way Zamfara state government handles this vital social problem with kid’s gloves.
The Invisible INSIDER strongly advocates that Governor Dauda Lawal should go the extra mile, be bold and courageous enough to reduce the frightening scourge of hunger and abject poverty ravaging Zamfara state and incapacitating its indegenes to the lowest level of degradation. When that is ultimately achieved and socio-economic activities eventually normalized, the people will unanimously appreciate and happily support other government’s short, medium and long term policies of
infrastructural development .
