Impact of Democratic Governance on Socioeconomic Development : A Glance at the Administration of Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.

Democracy is globally adjudged as the best and acceptable form of government. This is because it affords the citizens the opportunity to participate in the selection and election of leaders of their choice who, in turn, are expected to provide them with dividends of democracy.

Democratic governance is a political system, in which the leadership are expected to carry a holistic assessment of the general state of affairs of the governed, accompany by progressive formulation of viable policy and programme and taking decisive action towards bringing about enhanced socio-economic development. It is generally accepted that democracy have a causal link with development.

This is because democracy stimulates development, as it enhances the ability of a state or country’s to engender development by providing programmes and infrastructures such as portable water supply, Medicare, capacity building electricity, roads, schools and markets etc ; all of which are contributory to the enhancement of the living standard of the people.

Politicians vying for elective offices usually present their party’s official manifesto to voters outlining the visions and policies that make up their respective programmes line up for implementation if elected to govern. However, study has shown that once elected into office, many governors hardly remain committed to implementing their campaign promises. This lack of such commitment is contributory for the low pace of development currently being observed in many states in Nigeria.

However, ther are states that are fortunate to have visionary and committed governors who have translated their quality into tremendous infrastructural renaissance. Bauchi is one of such lucky states to have Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi) as governor, whose stewardship is characterized by unmatched achievements aim at a complete transformation of Bauchi State.

Kaura, had during his electioneering campaign noticed that access road which is key for any meaningful socioeconomic activities is lacking in some areas of the state. On assumption of office, following his victory at the polls, the governor swung into action. He immediately approved the construction of roads in areas that had hitherto lacked access roads and the rehabilitation of existing roads in the state capital and other senatorial districts were also awarded.

The first 100days of Sen. Bala administration witnessed a remarkable achievements which provided clear pointers to the fact that he was well-prepared for the enormity of the task ahead of him.

It is often believed that 100days in office for someone with a mandate of four years is not enough period to effectively gauge his performance. However, same could not be said to Governor Bala.

The Governor left no one in doubt about his developmental drive to transform the state when he quickly embarked on provision of critical infrastructure to improve the quality of life of the Bauchi State citizen.

He had within this period completed and commissioned road projects which included: 4.4Km Gombe road to Maiduguri bypass; 6.2Km Sabon Kaura to Jos Road; 1Km Muda Lawal Market Road projects. Other road projects include 58.4Km Burga in Tafawa Balewa LGA to Yelwan Duguri in Alkaleri LGA; the 16.2 Km Sade to Akuyam road projects that linked Darazo and Misau LGAs as well as the 1.3 Km Hospital road, Azare.

In the same vein, within three years of his stewardship, ‘Mr. Project’ as he is fondly called, embarked on the construction of network of roads within Bauchi metropolis worth billions of naira. Also, within the same period, the governor also completed the construction of 11.6 Km Boi – Tapshin road; 11.2 Km Bogoro – Lusar – Malar road; 2.6Km Bununu township roads; 2.5 Km Sade township roads; 25.5 Km Udubo – Gamawa and Warji roads amongst many others. . Other road projects awarded include the 58.4Km Burga in Tafawa Balewa LGA to Yelwan Duguri in Alkaleri LGA; the 16.2 Km Sade to Akuyam road projects that linked Darazo and Misau LGAs as well as the 1.3 Km Hospital road, Azare.

The transformation was achieved within a relatively short time such that any visitor coming to Bauchi for the first time in about three years will be astonished.

Amongst other projects which the governor had completed are the construction of an Ultra Modern Bauchi State Pilgrims Camp for both Christian and Muslims intending pilgrims; the rehabilitation and expansion of water supply facilities to meeting the growing demands for clean pipe borne water in Bauchi metropolis. Also awarded is the construction of Ultra Modern Conference Centre in the state capital and already work has reached advanced stage.

Bauchi State Government House which had decayed and dilapidated also received prompt attention by Kaura’s led administration. He approved the complete demolition of the old governor’s office and other buildings within the government house, and then commissioned a N6.2 billion reconstruction of a befitting complex which has since been completed. The new complex can be placed in the same stratum as other modern Government Houses in other state capitals in Nigeria.

A few months after being sworn in for a second term mandate, Kauran Bauchi swung into action to consolidate on the unparalleled achievements of his administration attained during the first tenure. Kaura remained unwavering towards the continuous delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Bauchi State, despite attempt by the opposition to use the tribunal to divert his attention. Amongst the projects approved are the construction of: 29km Boi – Gambar — Sara – Marti — Lere Road ; 2Nos. Flyover Bridge at Wunti Market and Central Market Roundabout ; 2.6km Gwallameji – Doka – Rafin Zurfi – Dass Road ; 4 .5km Sabon Kaura – Birshi Gandu – BRC Road ; 1.1km Bayara Township Road Road and 4km Zango – Gwallaga – Mayaka Road.

In the same vein, the governor also awarded the contract for the dualisation of : 5.2 km Emir’s Palace Azare to Setraco Roundabout Road ; 11km GSS Ningi to Gudduba in Ningi LGA along Kano Road; 7km A.D. Rufa’i CELGS to GSS Misau Road. Similarly, governor Bala awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of : 29km Dindima – Yashi — Maina Maji Road. These projects which were awarded at the cost of several billions of Naira when completed will undoubtedly enhance and support economic activities in the state.

The governor also extended his focus to youth and women empowerment consequent upon which the administration kicked off the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP). He purchased hundreds units of commercial buses and tricycles popularly referred to as Keke Napep which had since been distributed to the beneficiaries. Also, thousands of women and youths cut across the Twenty (20) Local Government Areas of the state have been empowered with motorcycles, grinding machines, sewing machines, makeup kits, shoe making machines as well as cash to enable start off economic activities for elf reliant.

The Bala administration recognizes the fact that a pragmatic Agricultural Policy can give Bauchi State and indeed the nation an economic boost. In recognition of the fact that Bauchi State is essentially an agricultural state, the Kaura administration besides purchasing thousands tons of fertilizer and other farm inputs and distributed same to the farmers in a subsidized rate. The administration has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with OCP Africa and has completed plan to collaborate with Brazil on the introduction of new farming innovations aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and increasing food security. Today, through his commitment and support, production of food commodity such as rice, millet, maize, groundnuts, guinea corn and cash crops have increased exponentially in Bauchu State.

Worried by the near collapse of the education sector, Governor Bala, on assumption of office, declared a state of emergency in education, the move was to reinvigorate education in the state. To achieve this, the Kaura administration organised a 2-day Education Summit which brought together stakeholders and development partners to collaborate with the state government to address the challenges in the educational sector. To bridge the infrastructure gap to ensure access to quality education, the governor approved special intervention worth billions of Naira for the support of expansion of infrastructure in all existing schools and the building of 120 new Junior and Senior Secondary Schools cut across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.

Gross shortage of teachers in the public schools was a cause of concern. To address this, Gov. Bala approved the recruitment 3,000 teachers to reduce teacher/ students ratio. Also approved is the deployment of the UNICEF-supported Teacher Information Management System (TMIS) and the scaling up of fingerprint monitoring in secondary schools aim to reduce teacher absenteeism and enhance teaching quality. The governor has also put in place monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, committees, and frameworks to ensure that the allocated resources are properly managed and that the impact of these investments in the education sector is significant.
Governor Bala’s exceptional contribution towards the provision of health care infrastructure in Bauchi State did not go unnoticed. In recognition of his effort, the New Telegraph Newspaper awarded him with the prestigious Governor of the Year Award , 2023 as the Health Infrastructure Governor of the year, 2023. The award underscores his unparalleled service to improve and expand the health care sector. Amongst his achievements are the implementation of an effective health policies, payment of counterpart funding and ensuring access to quality healthcare services through partnership with donor agencies.

The Governor also carried out the construction and rehabilitation of some Primary Health Centers across the state. ‘Mr. Project’ also undertook the renovation and completion of the State College of Nursing and Midwifery, and as well as equipping it with modern equipment and other facilities to enhance the training of skilled and qualified Nurses and Midwives to fill gaps in our hospitals and clinics.

Gov. Bala’s policy of inclusiveness has been translated in his political appointments. Ethnic and religious minorities had hardly been considered for key political appointments in Bauchi State in the past. The coming of Kauran Bauchi has completely changed the narrative. He has set a precedence by not only appointing the underprivileged – who have long nursed grudge of marginalization – into key positions in his government, but has significantly increased the number of such appointments. It is suffice to say inclusiveness plays a key role in giving people a sense of belonging and in dissolving the apprehensiveness which had so often undermine the spirit of mutual coexistence amongst people of diverse background not only in Bauchi State but Nigeria as a whole.

Aware that the activities of bandits and kidnappers in the state if left unchecked will pose a serious security challenge and likely to adversely affect virtually all sectors of the economy, especially farming, Governor Bala swiftly moved to tackle the problem through the purchase of a number of units of brand new JAC pickup vehicles and distributed same to the army, police, and other security agencies to support in the campaign. This is in addition to the logistic support given to the local hunters, vigilante groups and other relevant stakeholders in the state who are into collaboration with the security agents in the state to tackle the security challenges. The proactive measures taken by the governor has yielded positive result as the state now enjoys relative peace.

Gov. Bala’s unmatched transformation drive and the implementation of his viable policy has undoubtedly impacted positively in promoting socioeconomic development in Bauchi State. His achievements are pointers of good democratic governance which Nigeria as a country is in dire need.

In recognition of Kaura’s selfless service , the then President Buhari, despite coming from the opposition applauded him over his investment in critical sector of the economy for the benefit of the people.

By Dabo Yakubu Dabs:
Lecturer: Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytchnic, Bauchi & The President, Jarawa (Afizere) Cultural & Community Association, Bauchi State.