By Philip Yatai

Dr Abdulmalik Durunguwa, a governorship aspirant under the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, says that rural transformation was key to sustainable economic growth and development of the state.

Durunguwa, a Commissioner of the National Population Commission, stated this while interacting with journalists in Kaduna on Monday.

He stressed the need for massive investment to improve rural economy with a view to empower women and youths and set the state on a path to sustainable economic growth and development.

He said that the economic potential of the state was not fully tapped because of the overconcentration of development in urban areas at the expense of the rural areas where the larger population resides.

According to him, rural areas hold the key to unlock the state’s untapped economic potentials due to the huge number of productive youths, agricultural land, and other untapped natural resources in rural communities.

“The youths are currently migrating to urban centres in search of jobs because there is nothing to keep them economically busy in rural areas.

“However, the youths will stay in their villages and make cool money if the government provides economic opportunities for them in rural communities.”

He said that with adequate investment in the agricultural sector, Kaduna state would become an agricultural hub in the country, considering its fertile land, ground water, adequate rainfall, and suitable weather conditions.

He pointed out that currently, agriculture was the largest employer of labour in the state and contributed more than 37 per cent to the state Gross Domestic Product.

He said that sector, if well tapped, could transform rural economies, reduce insecurity, and become the main source of revenue for the state.

On healthcare, the APC chieftain said that the rural healthcare delivery system equally needs serious investment to be able to provide quality healthcare services to rural dwellers.

He added that attention was equally needed in the education sector to build the productive skills and capacity of the population to contribute meaningfully to the development agenda of the state.

Durunguwa, however, pointed out that no development would thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity, stressing the need for concerted effort to address security challenges.

He suggested that approach should take cognisance of the security challenge peculiar to each local government area, stressing that community participation was key.

The governorship aspirant also stressed the need to promote social cultural activities to foster harmonious relationships and peaceful coexistence among residents of the state which are currently divided along ethnic and religious lines.