Lamido started real development in Jigawa – Mohammed

In this interview, the chairman, Dutse Capital Development Authority (DCDA), Alhaji Aminu Bashir Muhammad, explains to BAYO ALABIRA the reason for the setting up of the agency. He also speaks on various efforts of the Lamido administration to set the stage for proper economic development through the provision of infrastructure in the state

Establishment of DCDA
Yes, DCDA was established by the then administration of Ibrahim Saminu Turaki in 1999, and subsequently I was appointed the Sole administrator. DCDA is saddled with the responsibility of providing infrastructural developments as well as to supervise projects within the state capital up to 15 km radius. It is also the custodian of Dutse master plan. It was established to provide enough housing for the teeming civil servants.
Has it achieved its objective then?

And from 1999-2007, there wasn’t any adequate input to show on ground in term of physical development in the state capital. Dutse, the city was just looking like a local government headquarters. Because there were many challenges such as lack of accommodation in the state capital. That was why the state civil servants were daily shuttling between Kano and Dutse.
Basic amenities such as access roads, streetlight, constant electricity and water borne among others were not provided to the people living in the state capital before this government.
There were serious lack of accommodation in Dutse, because ministries and other government agencies, parastatals and boards were scattered across the five emirates and when this administration came in 2007, they were asked to return to the state capital.

Correcting the trend
In order to restore the lost glory of the state capital, the DCDA started with the foundation laying of the township roads, constructions of accommodations for civil servants and guest houses such as the G-9 Quarters and rehabilitation of commissioners’ quarters and the remodeling of Government House. In fact, real development in Jigawa started with Lamido
With DCDA, within a period of two years, the state capital started wearing new looks. The projects put in place by the Lamido administration so far, had been completed and commissioned by notable Nigerians. These projects include the 500 housing units at Malam Inuwa Dutse, Dan masara. Three category 3,2 and 1 bedrooms and the 500 Abubakar Rimi Housing Estate at Fatara of three category (3,2 and 1 bedrooms. These houses were given to civil servants and other interested individuals on owner occupier bases.

Non DCDA projects
Yes, there are projects that were done by this administration, and not by DCDA. The construction of the state Television House, local government houses, Yakubu Gowon NYSC camp and others were not constructed by DCDA. So all these complement a conducive environment for investors to come and invest.

On the master plan
Well, the master plan was designed by the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 1992. Then it was designed on 4000 hecters and before this government came in 2007, the master plan was not exhausted. So, we had to review the master plan when this administration came and exhausted the first master plan. So, it was re-designed to capture the present developmental areas within the metropolis and its environs. It was a serious challenge to review the master plan and have it accepted by the people, because they are ignorant of the new development. In this master plan, there are corner shops.

Cost of Dutse International Airport
Well, minus the terminal cargo to be completed by federal government as stated by President Goodluck Jonathan, I will not be able to tell you how much it will cost now. But the contract we have is a little bit above N10 Billion. So if it is completed, it is going to be the most functional Airport with high growth in economic development. It is going to bring economy that will transcend down to the people in the grassroots.

Relocating petty traders to Dutse central Market
Actually, like I have said earlier, if we want to make Dutse befitting and compare with any city in the world, not only in Nigeria, then we have to do what we have done. All businesses had been designated to their own sites, the central market has been provided, there is mechanic village, a modern car park has also been constructed by this administration.
Provision of bus stops

Like you know, bus stops are going to be provided in different locations. But  at the moment, if they are provided, people are going to abuse their uses. Even though people are getting civilized in Dutse compared to what they were in the past. We also constructed a lot of traffic light, so we are now working to have traffic light in place.
Before, we did not have many accidents in Dutse, because of the minimal traffic. But now, go to the emergency unit of Rashid Shekoni Specialist hospital, you will see many accident victims because of the high number of vehicles we have in the city presently.