President Muhammadu Buhari has described the ongoing infrastructure development across the country as “fantastic”.
The president was speaking at a state banquet in Kano to conclude his one-day official visit to the state after inaugurating various projects carried out by the federal and state governments, as well as the private sector.
Inaugurated the Dala Inland Dry Port organized by the Kano State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government.
The project was conceived as part of the federal government’s port reform program designed to decongest seaports and, at the same time, bring port and shipping services closer to importers and exporters in the interior.
The President also inaugurated the 10 MW Haske Solar Farm funded by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) on a 24-hectare site in the Kumbotso local government of Kano State.
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It also launched the Family Homes Funds Estate, Darmanawa, Kano, which consists of 469 affordable housing units with ancillary infrastructure. The president implored citizens to appreciate what they have because the country is not dire compared to other countries.
“When I fly in a helicopter, the amount of high-rise buildings I see and the amount of development on the ground is fantastic,” he said. He congratulated the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on his excellent performance in infrastructure, adding that his recent visits to Kogi, Yobe, Lagos and Katsina states showed that the respective governors had done very well, within the limits of the funds available to them.
Earlier, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said that one of the projects inaugurated and named after the president, the Muhammadu Buhari Interchange in Hotoro, will help serve not only the citizens of Kano, but also people who come from neighboring states and countries.
He also said that the new Cancer Treatment Center at Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Giginyu, was named after his wife because of her concern for cancer patients, especially those battling breast cancer.
Youths throw stones at Buhari’s helicopter and convoy
Meanwhile, some young people stoned the aircraft and the advance of the president’s motorcade.
The Daily Trust reported that shortly after the president inaugurated the dry port and independent power project at Kumbotso LGA and left Zawaciki for the emir’s palace, youths threw stones at the helicopter which was already in the air.
Another incident reportedly occurred after the advance party left the palace for Ahmadu Bello Way for the inauguration of the Tier IV Data Center and Galaxy Backbone Limited office complex, some people throwing rocks at the vehicles with many running haphazardly to avoid being caught up in the ensuing commotion.
In the area of Hotoro where the Muhammadu Buhari Exchange was to open, youths also took to the streets after the president’s departure and threw stones at the convoy, prompting convoy security officers to fire warning shots at the air. and then fire tear gas canisters to disperse the assembled crowd.
Daily Trust compiled that after the security left the place, the young people made bonfires at different points on the road.
Remember that Ganduje had previously written to the president to reschedule the planned visit, citing discontent as a result of fuel shortages and the CBN’s new naira note policy.
However, the governor said the state was ready to welcome the president after he granted a deadline extension for the old naira notes.
By Muideen Olaniyi (Abuja) and Clement A. Oloyede (Kano)
