Photo: The day the contractors paid a courtesy visit to Katsina emir …Dr Abdulmumin Kabir Usman CFR
By Ahmad Abdullahi
Imagine two vital arteries connecting a state to the world. In Katsina, one of these—the road from Funtua to Katsina—is more than just pavement; it’s a lifeline. It winds through bustling towns like Malumfashi and Kankara, showcasing the region’s agricultural heart, political pulse, and the daily hustle of its people.
For years, the story of Katsina’s roads has been one of frustrating delays. The Kano-Katsina road, for instance, has been in a state of attempted repair for over two decades—a project that seems to have no end in sight.
But hope finally arrived for the Funtua-Katsina road.
A son of the soil, a Katsina indigene with a proven company, stepped up. We heard he jumped through every hoop, met every federal requirement, and even agreed to a bold plan: start the work now, get paid later. This wasn’t a foreign contractor with one foot out the door; this was a local enterprise staking its own resources on its home.
The Federal Executive Council, led by the President, gave its blessing. They recognized the road’s national importance and the company’s qualifications. The contract was awarded.
The company didn’t wait. Driven by a mission to finish in just 24 months, they mobilized from three different points. They blocked the road for construction, and instead of anger, the public celebrated. A long-awaited dream was finally being realized.
Company officials even visited the Emirs of Katsina and Daura, looking the traditional leaders in the eye and promising to deliver, even without upfront payment. The air was thick with promise.
Then, suddenly, silence. The work stopped. The celebration turned to confusion and disappointment.
So, What Happened?
The official reason from the Minister of Works is a “lack of funds.” But here’s the twist: the company had already stated it was willing to work on credit! So that excuse doesn’t quite hold up.
Then, the political plot thickened.
At a public meeting, a political aide to the President, Ibrahim Masari, reportedly claimed credit for the suspension. The reason? Allegedly, the company is owned by a member of the opposition, a certain Yakubu Lado Danmarke.
Rumors swirled that despite the President’s alleged inclination to let the project continue for the sake of development, political insiders insisted, “No, it must be suspended.”
And so, since July 2024, the road has sat idle. No work. No new contractor. Just a stark, unfinished scar across the landscape and a community left wondering.
Who is Cheating the People of Katsina?
This is the question on everyone’s lips. While other similar road projects across the region are being completed, why is this critical artery for Katsina being treated as a political pawn?
The public sentiment is clear: let the local company that has already proven its commitment finish the job. They argue that a local contractor, regardless of politics, has a deeper stake in doing the job right. They point to the stalled Kano-Katsina project as a cautionary tale of what happens when foreign contractors get paid upfront and the work languishes.
Meanwhile, whispers suggest that other companies are now bidding for the project at a cost seven times higher. It makes you wonder who truly benefits from this suspension.
What Can We Do?
It’s time for the people’s voice to be heard. This isn’t about party politics; it’s about progress. It’s about a road that feeds families, connects communities, and fuels the local economy.
The people of Katsina deserve to demand answers:
· We must speak up and insist that the company that fought for and won this contract fairly be allowed to resume its work.
· We must remind our leaders, from the President to the Governor, that their primary duty is to the people, not to political vendettas.
· We must ask ourselves: Who truly loves Katsina? Is it those who halt progress over a grudge, or those who are willing to invest their own wealth and talent back into their home?
The wealth this project generates will stay here, in Nigeria, in Katsina. It’s time to choose development over politics. Let’s not let our future be left to eat dust.