Gov. Matawalle is Repositioning Zamfara – Ummaru Maradun

Alhaji Ummaru Muhammad Maradun is the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Zamfara State on Housing and Urban Development. In this interview with our reporter in the state, Malam Salisu Zakari Maradun, the S.A. takes some time off his busy schedule to talk on the policy direction of the administration in respect of Housing and Urban Development, developmental projects of the administration, the new Government House, the Sports Stadium, the International Airport as well as the total war against insecurity being waged in the state by the governor. Excerpts.


As the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing and Urban Development, can you share with us what the state government is doing in the area of Housing and Urban Development?
I have to start by thanking you for having me in your platform. The present administration of the state under the leadership of His Excellency, Bello Matawallen Maradun is in a hurry to develop all the vital sectors of the state and to give the desired dividends of democracy to the people of Zamfara state. In other to actualize the government’s policy on Housing and Urban Development, the state government is making arrangement to partner with Estate developers across the country for the housing projects being planned by the state. The first phase of the project will be the construction of 1800 houses. This is in addition to the 3200 houses to be built and each of the 14 Local Government Councils will get 100 houses each. We have invited contractors from within and outside the state to be part of the project. These houses will be structured in such a way that they will be affordable to all classes of citizens of the state. It is an ambitious project, but I am assuring you that with the zeal of His Excellency in ensuring the realization of the project, we will surely get there.

Can you authenticate the plans of the state government to build a new Government House, Stadium and Airport?
Yes. Plans are in top gear through my office for the state government to construct all the three projects you mentioned, viz, a new befitting government house for the state, sports stadium and airport. We are working towards their actualization. I can beat my chest and tell you that these projects should be considered completed. We are going to have a stadium of global and Olympics standard in Gusau town, so also airport and a new government house. These three projects are very dear to the governor. For the airport, the governor has already awarded the contract and if you go to the site of the project you will see how they have mobilized their machines and working earnestly. We are just looking forward to the completion and usage of the airport. Hopefully, by next year our people will no longer go to Sokoto to take flights.

For the Government House, it is disheartening and a shame to see where the government and all its organs are being housed. We should not forget that the place currently known as the government house was a local government secretariat of Gusau. It is an old structure which has been there for over 40 years. If you go to any state, including those that were created along with us in 1996, they have all gone far away from us in area of infrastructural development; while we still remain stagnant without much progress.

All the projects being undertaken by these administration are going to be of international standard. They will compete favourable with any of its kind across the country. With these level of development going on in the state, we are confident and optimistic that within the next few years Zamfara state will take a new positive look. Already, contracts for the government house and the airport have been awarded and work in both sites have commenced. Gusau, the capital of Zamfara have been known for its economic viability and the commercial nerve centre of the Northern region, after Kano. All these facilities we are just talking about now should have been put in place long ago, if there have been commitment and zeal for legacy projects by some of the previous leaders of the state. But these time around, despite the insecurity problem bedeviling the state, despite the indebtedness of billions of naira left behind by the administration of Abdulaziz Yari, Governor Bello Matawalle is bent on changing the face of the state for better.

The administration have just marked one year in office. What are the expectations of the people in the coming years?
Our people should expect the best from our peace loving governor. Once there is peace and adequate security in any environment, development follows naturally. As most people can attest that the governor started very well and I can assure you that the tempo of development in the state will soon increase which was initially slowed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I can assure our people that the good and best of times is ahead of all of us. What the government needs most to succeed is support from everybody.

What is your message to the people of Zamfara under this period of pandemic (Covid-19) ravaging the world?
My message is simple. We should all remain steadfast and prayerful. We should endeavor to obey all the health rules as directed by the state government, federal government, NCDC and WHO. This is a trial period, not only in Zamfara state, but across the globe. We should also be very prayerful. The pandemic will soon be a thing of the past and we shall all return to our normal way of living.