KEBBI STATE

ATIKU BAGUDU: PROMISING PERFORMANCE

Since his emergence as Kebbi State governor in 2015, Atiku Bagudu’s profile has risen through improved governance by ensuring a decentralised bureaucracy that works efficiently to meet his development goals.

Agriculture, being the main focus of his administration, has received huge funds and considerable attention for farmers across the state. By accessing the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, Bagudu was able to engage many youths and over 70,000 rice and wheat farmers across the state.

Today, Kebbi has created a growing breed of middle class rice and wheat farmers that are lifting their families out of poverty. Kebbi’s joint venture rice project with the Lagos State Government is also worthy of mention, and has paved the path for collaborative ventures by discerning state governments.

His laudable efforts in agriculture have not gone unnoticed. Kebbi today is attracting investors seeking to set up rice processing mills to meet domestic demand for the food staple, with an eye on exports to neighbouring countries in the foreseeable future.

In the area of infrastructure, the Bagudu administration has constructed several roads in the state capital and rural areas, opening up communities, which were once inaccessible. His goal is to ease the transportation of farm produce from the state to other states of the federation.

Bagudu has also deployed resources to make health service delivery affordable, even as education and job creation get priority attention from his administration.

Although Kebbi has a relatively low debt profile, the drop in revenue from the Federation Account and internal sources need to be addressed. With the emergence of a viable agriculture and food processing industry, Bagudu needs to reform and reinvigorate the revenue drive in his state.