By Mike Odeh James, The Nigeria Times
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, has raised concerns regarding the recent allocation of four new federal institutions to Zaria town, facilitated by Speaker Tajuddeen Abbas. The forum emphasizes the importance of fair and equitable development across all regions of Kaduna State.
Luka Binniyat, Chairman of the MBF, stated, “We appreciate the need for development, but it is essential that such progress is distributed fairly. It raises eyebrows that one town, already home to 15 federal institutions, will receive four additional ones while other areas await similar opportunities.”
Binniyat pointed out the rationale behind this allocation by highlighting that Zaria already hosts numerous federal high-learning institutions. “The addition of these four institutions will bring the total to 19 in Zaria, which raises questions about the equitable distribution of federal resources,” he commented.
The institutions set for establishment include the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Federal College of Education, Federal Open University, and Federal College of Legal Studies. He noted that Southern Kaduna, which occupies 57% of the landmass and houses 52.1% of the state’s population, currently has only one federal institution: the Federal School of Statistics in Manchok.
Binniyat expressed curiosity about how Speaker Abbas was able to secure these institutions within such a short time frame and with a significant budget of N82 billion. “We want to understand the process that facilitated this allocation, as we have not seen related bills or public hearings at the National Assembly,” he explained.
He further called for transparency in the allocation process, contrasting it with the University of Applied Sciences, Manchok bill, which was presented publicly and had undergone scrutiny through a public hearing. “This level of openness is vital for public trust,” he said.
Binniyat reiterated the importance of a balanced development approach across Kaduna State, urging the Speaker to consider the broader implications of his decisions. “Speaker Abbas’s role extends beyond Zaria town; he represents the interests of the entire Kaduna State.”
He also encouraged the people of Southern Kaduna to leverage their collective strength to advocate for fair representation and resource distribution in governance. “It is crucial for us to unite and ensure that our voices are heard in the political process. Disaggregating our votes only weakens our influence,” he noted.
The MBF concluded by encouraging the federal government to review the distribution of educational institutions and resources in Kaduna State to promote fairness and equity, ensuring every region has the opportunity for growth and development.
