By Our Reporter
It appears that in as much as residents of Kaduna State appreciate the efforts of the state government with regard to its urban renewal programme, they are already playing Oliver Twist in their demand that there should also be provision of recreational facilities such as public parks as well. This is more so as they point out that Kaduna metropolis, as is typical of most urban centres in Nigeria, lacks adequate recreational facilities such as public parks which can have beneficial effects on the social and economic life of residents.
Residents of the state make this known in interviews with our reporter, insisting that security is paramount but even when there is security, there is still the need for people to have a balanced work and recreational life so that they can be economically productive.
According to Aliyu Ibrahim, a resident of Kaduna, “roads and bridges that the government of Malam Nasir El-Rufai is constructing across the Kaduna metropolis under its Urban Renewal Programme are good. I commend the government for this. However, roads and bridges are mainly for vehicular movement, public parks are for the social and health well-being of residents and they should be given attention too.”
To Ibrahim, “many people reside in crowded places across the city and they need public spaces where they can go and relax. So it is good to have public parks built and managed by the government. We don’t have enough parks in the city. Government is constructing roads and bridges; it should also construct public parks.”
Godwin Maikano takes similar position, stating that public parks are well established phenomena in advanced nations of the world and Kaduna can have the same which will further beautify the city. “In my own view,” Maikano explains, “the importance of public parks in a metropolis cannot be overemphasised. In advanced countries people have been using it and they understand the importance. In Kaduna metropolis public parks are important because after people go up and down they need somewhere they can sit for a moment and relax, but you can hardly find any. As the government is constructing roads and bridges and it should also make public parks. In fact, like the fine roads and bridges which the government is constructing, public parks will also beautify the city,” he added.
In his own reaction, Mr David Dauda of Leventis Area in Kaduna said, “Security of lives and property is most important at this time. But then even when security is achieved residents of Kaduna still need places where they can relax after a day at work and in places of their business. So public park is a good idea that the government should look into, especially in the Kaduna metropolis.”
For Paul David, a resident of Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, “Public park is important because it is a place where people can chill out, relax with members of their families. They can even sit down and read something entertaining and educative. Yes, the government is constructing roads for vehicles. I like the new roads and bridges. But government should also create public parks. As they make roads they should look into the issue of public parks that are useful to residents of the state who really need them especially in crowded areas of the city. There are some private parks, but when you go there the operators insist you must buy drinks before you can sit down. We need government-built parks that are open to all members of the public,” David added.
A senior citizen, Mrs Gina Michael, who lives at Sabon Tasha also speaks in the same vein, noting that, “Public parks are fine. They are important because after the daily running up and down, on weekends people can go there and relax. I believe public parks should be part of any urban renewal programme and it will make the city fine, and even beautify it. I think as the government constructs roads and bridges, it shouldn’t forget to construct public parks.”
