By Khadijah Aliyu
The Kano State House of Assembly has called on the state government to establish a campus of the Kano State Polytechnic in Doguwa LGA to expand access to tertiary education and skills development.
The call followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Doguwa Constituency, Salisu Ibrahim Muhammad, during plenary.
Moving the motion, Salisu said establishing the campus would provide young people in the area with greater opportunities to pursue higher education and acquire relevant technical and vocational skills.
He noted that although students in the area had continued to perform well academically, some became frustrated when they encountered challenges with the Interim Joint Matriculation Board, IJMB, examination and other avenues for further education.
He proposed courses in agriculture, computer studies and geological sciences to support human capital development and economic growth.
Contributing to the debate, the member representing Gezawa Constituency, Abdullah Yahya, described the proposal as important, particularly because of the distance between Doguwa and Kano metropolis.
He said the economic difficulties facing citizens made proximity to educational institutions an important consideration, alongside security concerns.
Abdullah, however, suggested that the House should consider strengthening an existing tertiary institution in Tudun Wada by expanding its academic programmes rather than establishing an entirely new campus.
In another development, the House adopted a motion of urgent public importance on the need for urgent intervention over the collapse of vital bridges in Kiru Local Government Area.
The motion was moved by the member representing Kiru Constituency, Abubakar Tasiu Kiru, who said the affected bridges serve as important links between Kiru and neighbouring local government areas, including Rogo, Karaye, Korozo, Shanono, Bagwai and Bebeji.
He said the route is an important connection for communities travelling from Tudun Wada and surrounding areas, adding that the road had already been awarded to a contractor but work was progressing slowly.
According to him, the collapsed bridge had disrupted transportation and economic activities, particularly the movement of agricultural produce such as maize, rice and tomatoes.
He added that schoolchildren were also finding it difficult to attend school, while pregnant women and sick persons faced challenges accessing healthcare facilities.
The lawmaker urged the House to call on the state government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing and the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, to conduct an immediate on-the-spot assessment and commence emergency reconstruction of the collapsed bridges.
He also called for the affected infrastructure to be included in the 2026 Emergency Rural Infrastructure Intervention Fund and urged the House Committee on Works to inspect the sites and submit its report to the House within one week.
Editing By Godwin Duru
