A member of the House of Representatives, representing Tarauni Federal Constituency in Kano state under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Hafiz Ibrahim Kawu, has pledged to depeen human capital development in his constituency, especially empowerment of women and youths, if elected for the second time.
The House of Representatives member stated this during the 2023 Dialogue Series with politicians organized by the Kano NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel at the Kano NUJ Press Centre.
“I have done much in the areas of capital projects through Ministries if Works, Agriculture and Environment in the last four years.
“If voted for another term, attention will be focused on the areas of human capital development.
“As a legislator I do not have direct access to the money but I have done a lot in the areas of infrastructures and environment in my first tenure by influencing projects through ministries.
So if given the mandate for the second time, I will focus on human capacity development. I will make sure people acquire more skills, especially women and youths.
“In the last four years I have executed over 50 capital projects in my constituency ranging from road construction, education development to primary healthcare.
“These projects above 80 per cent completed are spread across the 10 political wards that make up Tarauni Federal Constituency.
“I have also sponsored a number of bills at the floor of the House, some of which includes: a bill to establish a Federal University of Agriculture in Tarauni, a bill to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Kano, and a bill for the establishment of Entrepreneurship College in Kano, among others.
“I am also enhancing security of lives and property within my constituency by constant provision of logistics to the local vigilante group and the Nigerian Police Force.
“I have also used my influence and good office to secure employments for the people, particularly youths, within my constituency in various ministries, agencies and parastatals, including the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigerian Police Force, Army, and Civil Defence, among others” he said.
National Issues
On national issues, Hon. Tarauni justified the loan profile of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, insisting that it remains very healthy to the country’s economy.
He said Buhari was not borrowing to pay salaries but for critical infrastructures that have positive impact on the nation’s economy.
“As a lawmaker, I know that most of the loans are taken to execute critical infrastructural projects. Some of these projects are done through Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT).
“The loans will not be liabilities; they are self-financing, as revenues will be generated from them to pay back. For example the Lagos – Ibadan rail line is already generating revenue through the transportation of humans and goods,” he explained.
He also lauded Buhari’s administration for blocking leakages via the introduction of the Single Treasury Account (TSA), which has made money available for governance.
He commended the diversification from the oil to the non-oil sectors, especially agriculture, urging the incoming administration to sustain the policies.
“Such steps by the Buhari administration added value to the nation’s economic growth.
“The diversification of the economy through boosting the agricultural sector opened more windows to revenue generation.
“The non-oil revenue generation is key to economic development for a country like Nigeria which has depended so much on oil for survival over the years,” he said.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
