One of the biggest problems confronting several major cities in the country today is the severity of youth redundancy and resulting impact to socio-economic life.
The situation is far more serious in cities where hitherto functioning factories which were engaging many capable youths into remunerative employment have largely now become comatose.
Even if these factories are now restored to full production, they cannot entirely engage the teeming youths in the cities. Government employment opportunities may indeed have reached pliable limits.
Meanwhile, schools have continued to produce more graduates with no capacity to engage in self-employment. Crimes have accordingly continued to rise as the saying goes; an idle mind is a devil’s workshop! They must have to find a means of engagement.
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A close study of Kano town which absorbs large population not only from rural areas of the state but from many other neighbouring states requires more than mundane management of the situation. Some form of ‘Marshal Plan’ is needed. This is viewed possible with an opportunity of a new government in place with fresh ideas and new thinking of how to solve the catastrophic menace of a largely redundant citizenry. This situation is reflective in the huge crowd that turned out at the venue during the recent swearing-in ceremony in Kano.
The state is blessed with over 12 reasonably large water dams that appear to be largely underutilized. The dams include Tiga developed in 1984 with 1.5 billion cubic meters; Challawa developed in 1978 with capacity of 1.2 billion cubic meters and Goronyo developed in 1991 with capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters. These are massive water reservoirs with huge content for all season use! They are potential economic bubbles that must be fully exploited. The other earth dams include Watari, Bagauda, Jakara, Warwade, Tudunwada, Danladi and Dangora.
The efforts of the past planners and visionary leaders of the state in the development of these dams should not go in vain. The structures are on ground and proper investments can lead to major economic boost of the state.
Kadawa irrigation scheme in Kano, for example, is alive and providing excellent livelihood to the citizens of the villages in the vicinity. This should be replicated in all areas since the dams are located in almost all parts of the state. Development of similar irrigation channels made in Kadawa can provide for year-round cultivation of lands, thus increasing yields to farmers and according all year engagement. Kadawa is currently a major hub of tomatoes and several other vegetables.
The dams can support economic growth in four sectors: fish farming, crop production, vegetables and fruits farming. Fish species that can be farmed in these dams include tilapia, catfish and carp. Food crops that thrive include rice, maize, sorghum and vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and peppers are all viable farm products. Fruits can be farmed in orchards near the dams.
The ‘Yan lemo’ market in Naibawa Kano, for example, receiving fruits from other states can indeed become the new outlet for selling same fruits to the rest of the country.
One of the significant advantages of fish farming in the dams is employment generation. Fish farming creates job opportunities for locals, especially young people who are unemployed. One of the key advantages of fish farming in the dams is the high yield.
The unique ecosystem of the dams provides the ideal conditions for fish farming, resulting in high yields. The dams are rich in nutrients, and the water temperature and pH levels are conducive to the growth of fish. The process of fish farming requires a lot of labour, from preparing the ponds to harvesting the fish.
Local communities can benefit from employment opportunities in various stages of the fish farming process.
The dams can provide support for growth of food crops such as rice, millet and maize. These crops thrive in the dam’s unique ecosystem and can be grown all year round. The availability of water for irrigation is a significant advantage that the dams offer, and the government is encouraging investment in this area to boost local production.
The government has provided support in the form of training and incentives to encourage investment in food crop production thus creating job opportunities for locals, which can help to reduce poverty and unemployment in the state. The local community can benefit from employment opportunities in various stages of the food crop production process, from preparing the land to harvesting the crops. The growth of food crops is profitable business, and investors stand to make significant returns.
Dawanau Grains Market in the city can be replicated in the vicinity of the new settlements thus further boosting markets in the state and indeed allowing for ease of delivery of food items to the market. Banks will rush to these locations by establishing their branches thus making cash transactions, if required, with ease and safety.
Fruits can be farmed in orchards in the vicinity of the dams. The state has huge land mass and great production of fruits such as mangoes, guava, and lemon will thrive, providing good income to the citizens. Fruits packaging plants can be established to give opportunity for exports of canned food, which will lead to good return on investment for investors. The West African countries traditionally known to trade with Kano will remain some of the major targets of businesses.
Comprehensive plans can be put in place where financial institutions will be invited by the new government to provide support funds through cooperative societies. The framework for this can be put in place. For example, Real Estate developers can be engaged to provide low-cost houses near the dam locations leading to new mini settlements complete with support services – markets, schools, hospitals, etc.
Youths therefore can settle in these areas with their families, owning their homes and creating wealth. Loans taken can easily be repaid with huge incomes from the various activities around the dams.
Land issues can be settled by the state government through adequate compensation to owners for the development of the expected cluster settlements. Huge population of youths in the city will dwindle, with many opting to resettle in areas with guaranteed wealth creation. Government will benefit with increased IGR, thus providing better social amenities and infrastructure.
Imagine for instance, the development of some 5000 cluster houses in each of the vicinity of the 12 dams over a period of three years in collaboration with real estate developers thus providing some 60,000 houses – to be occupied by youths with their families in comfortable conditions.
The opportunities are huge and the need for urgent action is required. It is further viewed that support from Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Authority, with Headquarters in Kano, will lead to successful development of the dams.
Kano Foundation, a hitherto major think-tank of Kano State, must be revived and competent and experienced citizens appointed to serve.
The state now is said to have a total of 17 universities going by the recent approvals of the Federal Government, providing perhaps one of the highest numbers in the country. It is therefore desirable that courses that will provide for self-employment are pursued so that graduates have more guaranteed engagement on completion of studies.
Engr Goni is as Civil Engineering Consultant based in Abuja
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