Why Would Kano Govt Spend N655million To Bulletproof Fence?

The Kano State government has just paid the sum of N479million for the construction of a fence around the Government House. This was in addition to another N176million for the gates. This was announced by the state commissioner of works and housing, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf. Altogether, the state government might have spent a princely N655million on fencing the seat of government. This amount is a far cry from the N1billion critics allege was spent on the project.

Justifying the decision by the government to embark on the project, the commissioner said “the government decided to build a strong fence that is bullet proof to maximise security around the Government House and avoid possible pull- down of the fence as was attempted during the fuel subsidy strike.”

We appreciate Kano State government’s decision to invest this chunk of money on a fence and gates in the face of scarce resources needed for even more urgent social services. During the fuel subsidy strike mentioned by the commissioner, the protesters attempted to abduct Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso who was seen as being in favour of subsidy removal.

They actually pulled down part of the Government House’s fence and security operatives had to smuggle the governor and his family out of the premises and out of harm’s way.

Public officers and their families, not just those in Government House, are often targets at such moments of social upheaval because, rightly or wrongly, they are perceived as “enemies” and therefore to be held responsible for whatever hardship the populace is going through. Their lifestyle often reinforce this disposition.

Their families and friends carry on as if they live in a world different from the one the rest of us live in. In most cases, that is what obtains. That is why their children cannot attend public schools; they and their families must go to Israel to check their teeth; their wives are scared of going to the market to shop for their families.

When they have to go out at all, they must wear bullet proof vests, ride in bullet-proof vehicles and now they also have to live behind bullet-proof fences. Very soon, they may need to eat bullet proof food and sleep on bullet-proof beds.

We have cause to express our regret at all these security measures built around our so, called leaders. They should give them food for thought. If they are indeed our leaders, why are they scared of having contact with those they claim to lead? Our leaders rarely have time for such introspection and that is why they must spend princely sums on security from votes that are not accounted for.

It is our belief that good, people-oriented governance is the best security measure. Nothing else will suffice adequately.