Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has intensified his administration’s development drive with the commissioning, inspection and groundbreaking of major infrastructure and economic projects across the state.
The projects, executed under the governor’s Building Your Future agenda, are aimed at accelerating infrastructure renewal, promoting economic diversification and enhancing grassroots development.
During the past week, Governor Radda inaugurated and launched projects worth billions of naira in the areas of roads, agriculture, education and enterprise development in Malumfashi, Batsari and other parts of the state.
Among the completed projects are the reconstructed and dualised 3.9-kilometre Funtua–Katsina Road and the upgraded 1.2-kilometre Tsohuwar Kasuwa Road in the Katsina metropolis.
Constructed at a combined cost of over ₦6.4 billion, the roads are equipped with solar-powered streetlights and are expected to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety and stimulate commercial activities.
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Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Radda described the roads as strategic investments that would strengthen the state’s economy by improving mobility, reducing travel time and creating a safer urban environment.
The governor also flagged off the construction of 20 township roads covering 10.7 kilometres in Malumfashi at a cost of ₦10.2 billion. The project includes the installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve security and support economic activities after dark.
He said the initiative would improve access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities while creating employment opportunities during construction.
In Batsari Local Government Area, Governor Radda commissioned a modern cassava/gari processing centre, which he named after the late former Minister of agriculture and water resources, Dr Abba Sayyadi Ruma.
According to the governor, the facility will strengthen the cassava value chain by reducing post-harvest losses, expanding market opportunities for farmers and creating employment for women and young people through value addition.
During his visit to Batsari, Governor Radda also inspected the ongoing construction of a new secondary school approved by his administration and expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work. He reaffirmed his commitment to expanding access to quality education through improved infrastructure and the recruitment of qualified teachers.
The governor further commissioned the newly completed 2.3-kilometre Batsari Township Road and inaugurated renovated councillors’ offices at the local government secretariat, commending the council for complementing the state’s development efforts through impactful grassroots projects.
As part of efforts to promote entrepreneurship, Governor Radda launched the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Business Starter Package Programme.
The initiative provides start-up equipment and business support packages valued at between ₦150,000 and ₦320,000 to beneficiaries who completed entrepreneurship training.
Governor Radda said the programme was designed to restore livelihoods in communities affected by insecurity by promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance and sustainable economic recovery.
