By Engr Aminu Audu Ganye
If there is one governor in Nigeria that is not afraid to take on the biggest projects in his state despite the dwindling economy, it’s Adamawa state governor, Senator Muhammadu Umar Jibrilla Bindow.
Even his meanest critic will agree with me that the man seem to have a plan for every expected setback. When other governors are trying to avoid the capital projects in their states due to lack of funds, Bindow has applied his business management skills judiciously in making the biggest projects his priorities.
Every past administration in Adamawa state had budgeted hundred of millions of naira, in Nyako’s case billions of naira for the renovation of Yola International Hotel – with little or no progress to show for the allocated funds.
It is therefore no surprise when Bindow announced allocation of hundreds of millions of naira for the continued renovation of the Yola International Hotel, but unlike his predecessors, the work and the ultra-modern hospitality materials at the hotel work site is a sight to behold.
When the governor announced that the hotel is more than 65% complete, the news was welcome with appreciative cheers across the state which is an evidence of the people of Adamawa’s awareness on the economic value of the hotel to the state and Nigeria as a whole.
The hotel, the first of its kind in the Northern Nigeria will sure provide employment, increase the revenue of the state and attract local and international investors.
As a hospitality point, the hotel will sure boost tourism in the state, and you don’t have to think much to see the economic masterstroke of Governor Bindow for renovating this hotel at this material time. Bindow is sure an economic genius.
It is clear that governors and administrators would only invest in big projects as long as the rate of return on investment is attractive. The definition of ‘attractive’ can vary, with some administrators desiring higher rates of political return based on the risk profile of a particular project.
For example, a governor will rather build schools and hospitals – projects that will give him big recognition and immediate political gain. But Bindow has made history again by embarking on a project that will be of big economic and human gain for the people of Adamawa for generations to come.
In most of his projects, Bindow pays specific focus on human workforce needs, aligned with the skill needs of targeted industry sectors important to state and regional economy.
As an established businessman, Bindow is has been able to understand that Adamawa state is no Rivers state or Delta state with huge oil revenues or even Lagos state with big commercial revenue generation – he knew that he will be working with very limited resources and has judiciously manage his meager funds to do lots of human and social developmental projects in such a short period of time.
It is important that governors understand where the line lies between their strategic responsibilities and the management responsibilities of funds. Bindow has done so very well and we are lucky to have him in the helm of affairs as the nation’s economy takes a downturn.
As Bindow continue to make history in our dear state, this wonderful initiative of making the dream of Yola International Hotel a reality is a big political score for the governor. May he continue to do more of such progressive initiatives for a better Adamawa state.
Ganye wrote in from Yola and can be reached on engrstud2001@gmail.com
