From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
Katsina State Governor Malam Dikko Radda has expressed confidence that the insecurity currently plaguing the state will soon be a thing of the past.
In his New Year message, Governor Radda acknowledged that while insecurity remains a national challenge, his administration, under the “Building Your Future” slogan, has taken significant steps to address it. He emphasized the state’s commitment to ending banditry and restoring peace.
The Governor recalled the launch of the second batch of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and the provision of vehicles and advanced equipment to security agencies, marking a clear signal of the state’s dedication to combatting insecurity.
“Our administration has made substantial progress in several key sectors throughout 2024,” Governor Radda said.
He pointed to significant improvements in education, including investments in school rehabilitation, teacher development, and procurement of educational materials. “We have also fostered technological growth by awarding scholarships to 68 students pursuing studies in Artificial Intelligence and biotechnology in China,” he added.
In the agricultural sector, Governor Radda highlighted a remarkable achievement: more than 30,000 farmers received essential inputs and resources, which contributed to Katsina earning national recognition for a 99.75% success rate in dry-season wheat cultivation. “Our agricultural initiatives not only boosted productivity but also strengthened our food security,” he noted.
In health, the Governor emphasized Katsina’s position as having the highest number of functional health facilities in Nigeria, with 1,751 operational institutions, more than 85% of which are functional. He also highlighted the upgrade of five primary healthcare centres to general hospitals, with ongoing construction at others.
“Through strategic investments in healthcare personnel, infrastructure, and equipment, we’ve made healthcare more accessible and positioned the state as a destination for health tourism,” he explained.
Governor Radda also detailed his administration’s urban renewal projects, including the completed dualization of the Kofar Soro-Kofar Guga Road and the installation of solar streetlights in the state capital.
He also mentioned the ongoing Funtua urban renewal project and the launch of the Community Development Programme, which encourages residents to participate in local project planning and supervision.
The Governor also commended the state’s performance in 2024, with 69% of the budget successfully implemented. He added that the 2025 budget has been designed to further reduce governance costs, with 77.81% allocated to capital projects and only 22.82% to recurrent expenditure, ensuring that more resources are directed toward critical infrastructure.
“As we enter 2025, we are set to commission several landmark infrastructure projects, including the Eastern Bypass Road, the dual carriageway from Dutsinma Road to Yandaki Town, the Shargalle-Dutsi-Ingawa Road, and the Imaging Centre at the General Amadi Rimi Orthopaedic Hospital, among others,” Governor Radda highlighted.
“Our focus remains on enhancing security, improving public services, and ensuring sustained development across all sectors,” he pledged. “Success requires the continuous support and vigilance of every citizen.”
Governor Radda also praised the resilience of Katsina residents and their cooperation with security agencies, particularly in intelligence sharing. “Together, we will overcome the security challenges and continue to build a brighter future for Katsina State,” he concluded.
