The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on stakeholders across eight local government areas of Kano to remain steadfast in advocating for the completion of abandoned projects in their communities.
The targeted local government areas are Bichi, Fagge, Dala, Gwale, Tarauni, Nasarawa, Municipal, and Sumaila.
This call was made on Monday by CITAD Senior Program Officer Isah Garba during an inception meeting aimed at improving citizens’ participation in governance processes and demanding accountability from duty-bearers in Kano State.
Garba disclosed that a constituency project, a primary health centre, has been abandoned for over ten years, posing significant risks to residents as dangerous reptiles and animals have taken over the site.
“A lot of resources are being wasted. The government started these projects and abandoned them without any reason, while the communities need them for beneficial purposes,” he said.
Garba emphasized the importance of active citizen participation in reducing the number of abandoned projects through advocacy. He urged stakeholders to compile a list of these projects and push for their completion.
He also called on stakeholders to demand accountability and transparency from their elected representatives to ensure the completion of these abandoned projects.
Garba reminded the stakeholders that failing to hold elected officials accountable would lead to resource wastage and deprive communities of the dividends of democracy.
“These abandoned projects are funded by taxpayers’ money. Allowing them to decay is not just a lack of responsibility but also against the will of Allah,” he added.
He further mentioned that presenting a citizens’ charter of demands would help ensure that projects are not merely the vision of a single person, thereby preventing wastage and ensuring their completion.
“We want public resources to be fully utilized. Citizens need to understand their rights and responsibilities in governance and actively participate in all processes beyond just casting votes,” Garba concluded.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders pledged to follow up on the completion of abandoned projects in their respective local government areas.
