Looting Of NCC-ICT Park: Dangote Offers Renovation As Group Rejects Its Rumoured Relocation From Kano To Kebbi

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Arewa Youth Assembly AYA, has rejected calls from some quarters for the relocation of the vandalized National Communication Commission, NCC, Information Technology Centre, ICT, from its original Kano abode to Kebbi State.

This is just as the umbrella body of Northern youths warned the people, particularly, Kebbi indigenes, not to be taken in by such deceptive insinuations.

The Source reports that on day one of the #EndBadGovernance protest, the Multi million Naira  NCC-ICT building located in the Nasarawa area of the commercial hub of the North, alongside other numerous private and public facilities and business concerns fell prey to the orgy of looting vandalization, arson and destruction by rampaging youths.

Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister for Digital Economy, while appraising the situation in the wake of the vandalization, lamented that millions of Naira had gone down the drain.

But in a statement on Monday, August 5, while also reflecting on the spate of arson, looting and vandalization which trailed the protest in the state, the Kano State Government informed that a private outfit in the state  has volunteered to rehabilitate the structure.

However, following the unfortunate fate of the building, speculations have been rife of late that the project is set to be relocated to Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State Capital.

The AYA, in the statement on Wednesday, August , 7, 2024, jointly signed by Dr Aliyu Mohammed,and Dr Hafiz Garba, President and Secretary, respectively dismissed the alleged relocation move as a calculated attempt to deceive and mislead the unsuspecting citizens of Kebbi state .

“Relocating the ICT park to any other state ,would not only incur additional costs ,but also will cause delays  hindering the region’s progress in digital innovation.

“It is more realistic to make a renovation on the existing foundation in Kano than starting the project all over again somewhere.

“Necessary infrastructures for the thriving of investments such as Digital Innovation Park is critical and therefore situating the facility in Kano was not a coincidence ,but an action which was carefully thought out and executed.

“Kano state holds historical and strategic importance as a commercial hub in Northern Nigeria ,with established transportation networks ,including a fully functional international airport and major road links .

“Kano state is, therefore, well positioned to host the Digital Innovation Park.The location of Kano state ensures accessibility and connectivity amongst all other States of the North West which is critical to a successful operationalization of such an initiative” part of the AYA statement reads .

While noting the fact that Kebbi State, like some other Northern States crave investments that can potentially lift it up the economic ladder, the group also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ignore any call for the relocation of the landmark project from Kano.

The Source have, however, gathered that business magnet Aliko Dangote, is believed to have waded in to remedy the situation.

An impeccable source informed this medium that as part of efforts to ensure that Kano is not denied the benefits of the ICT hub, the President of Dangote Group, himself,  a prominent scion of the ancient city, may have stepped in to to bear the cost of putting the project back to its original shape.

Although the Kano State Government was not specific when, on Monday, it dropped the hint that a private outfit from the State has offered to renovate the building, it is  strongly believed that It is the richest man in Africa – Dangote and his outfit.