By Jabiru Hassan
Some residents of rural communities in Kano State have expressed concern over what they described as inadequate development projects in their areas, calling on the state government to extend more infrastructure and economic programmes to rural settlements.
Residents who spoke with journalists in different communities alleged that government development efforts have largely focused on metropolitan Kano, leaving many rural areas with limited access to major capital projects.
Speaking in Waddau Village, Gargari Ward of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, Malam Sulaiman Umar said the community had yet to benefit from significant government projects capable of transforming the local economy and improving living conditions.
According to him, rural communities contribute significantly to the state’s electoral process and deserve greater attention in terms of infrastructure development and economic empowerment.
“We have a large population and our votes are important in every election. Our youths need opportunities that will enable them remain in their communities and engage in productive activities that can improve their livelihoods,” he said.
Umar specifically appealed to the state government to rehabilitate the Kunnawa Dam, arguing that improved irrigation and agricultural activities would create employment opportunities and reduce rural-urban migration.
He urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to expand development initiatives to more rural communities across the state.
Also speaking, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa from Makoda Local Government Area called for increased investment in rural infrastructure, saying such projects would improve the standard of living of residents and stimulate economic growth.
He noted that rural development remains critical to achieving balanced growth and sustainable development across Kano State.
Some residents acknowledged ongoing interventions such as the renovation of schools, upgrades of healthcare facilities and empowerment programmes, but maintained that more large-scale projects were needed to address the developmental challenges facing rural communities.
The Kano State Government has consistently stated its commitment to improving infrastructure, education, healthcare and social welfare across both urban and rural areas of the state.
Residents, however, urged authorities to ensure that future development projects are more evenly distributed to meet the needs of communities across all parts of Kano State.
