Rapid urbanization and economic growth in Kano State have led to increased traffic congestion and pollution. In October 2022, the Kano State government, under former Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, launched a mass transit scheme to tackle these issues.
The initiative, named ‘Kanawa Bus Service,’ introduced 100 buses and 50 cabs to provide efficient and affordable public transportation along major routes in the state’s metropolis.
During the flag-off ceremony, Ganduje, now the national chairman of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), announced that “the vehicles would start operating immediately to address transportation challenges, especially along the Jogana, Yankura to Janguza axis. He stated that the 100 high-capacity buses were procured at the cost of N2.5 billion and promised an additional 200 buses in the 2023 budget to cover more areas.
“The project was intended to be a public-private partnership (PPP), with a private company operating the service. Kano State Investment and Properties Limited was directed to invest in the new taxis, which would be given to tricycle operators under a hire purchase agreement. The aim was to help tricycle operators own the taxis after completing payment terms.”
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However, checks by Weekend Trust revealed that the buses and taxis disappeared from the streets just two weeks after the launch. Residents confirmed that the buses, initially deployed after the flag-off, vanished from Kano streets by December 2022.
Public servant Abdussalam Umar expressed his disappointment, saying, “At first, I thought it would make transportation easier and cheaper for us, but then I was disappointed when the buses and taxis disappeared barely two weeks after. It is sad that the mass transit scheme is now a total failure after all the money spent.”
Another resident, Jabir Aliyu, described the scheme as a good idea poorly executed.
“The buses and taxis were not enough for the people of Kano. They were also not regular and reliable. Many times, when we came out, we found that they were not available and other times, they were overcrowded and uncomfortable,” he said.
Tricycle operator Mamuda Haruna alleged that the mass transit scheme appeared to be a scam.
“The government doesn’t listen to us. They are only interested in their pockets. During that period, they promised that new taxis would be given to tricycle operators, but we never received them,” he said.
Another tricycle operator, Shamsuddini Abdullahi, confirmed that the process was not transparent.
“When the scheme was launched, we were told that we could apply for new taxis, but when I personally applied, I was told they were no longer available,” he added.
Former Secretary to the Kano State Government and Chairman Organising Committee of the N2.5 billion mass transit scheme, Engr Rabiu Suleman Bichi, explained that the project was put on hold due to the mass rejection of government policies amid the naira redesign controversy by the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2022.
“When the buses were spread across for operations, tricycle operators threw stones at them and caused damages,” he said.
Bichi assured that the buses were safely kept at a government facility but failed to provide details of the location. Weekend Trust confirmed that the buses were stationed at Mahaha playground along BUK road, but security agents denied access to verify their condition.
The present administration under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf inherited the “problem” and is developing a new transport policy for the state.
The state Commissioner for Transportation, Muhammad Diggol, acknowledged the challenges and confirmed that the buses were at Mahaha playground.
“There were a lot of challenges that arose and necessitated them to stop,” he said.
The N2.5 billion mass transit scheme aimed to solve transportation issues in Kano State but ended up failing due to poor execution and lack of transparency. The buses remain parked and unused, leaving residents to rely on the same tricycles they had before the scheme’s introduction.