Kaduna Youth Group Addresses Controversy Over New Federal Institutions

From Wasila Yakubu, Kaduna

The Southern Kaduna Youth Stakeholders Forum has acknowledged the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia (FUASK), and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan (FMC), by the Federal Government.

In a statement by its Director of Research and Documentation, Seth Bakut Habila, the forum clarified aspects of the legislative and executive processes that led to the establishment of the FMC, including a public hearing held in March 2024.

According to Habila, the bill for the FMC was referred to the House Committee on Healthcare Institutions, chaired by Representative Amos Gwamna Magaji, who later presented the report to the House.

The forum also addressed comments made by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, who was reported to have questioned the legislative process related to the project. The forum responded by referencing existing laws and previous practices around the establishment of federal institutions.

The group noted that a new bill proposing another FMC in the same area had been introduced and questioned the rationale behind it.

They further noted the allocation of land for FUASK and the state government’s involvement in providing support infrastructure.

The forum concluded by urging political actors to prioritize unity and avoid actions that could generate tension within the region.