From Mu’awuya Bala Idris, Katsina
Vice President Kashim Shettima has commissioned a number of infrastructure and transportation projects executed by the Katsina State Government under Governor Dikko Umar Radda, during a one-day official visit to the state.
Among the projects commissioned were the dualised 4.80-kilometre Kofar Sauri–Central Mosque Roundabout Road, the 2.40-kilometre Central Police Station Junction–Kofar Kaura Road and the 4.00-kilometre Filin Polo–Ring Road, bringing the total length of the commissioned roads to 11.2 kilometres.
The Vice President also launched 30 CNG hybrid buses and 200 electric tricycles as part of the state government’s efforts to modernise public transportation and provide cleaner and more efficient mobility for residents.
Another major highlight of the visit was the flag-off of the disbursement of the Community Investment Fund under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), with more than 40,000 women in Katsina expected to benefit from business capital.
Speaking during the visit, Shettima commended Governor Radda for his administration’s efforts to improve the lives of residents.
He said the road projects would help ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity and support economic activities across the state.
The Vice President also urged beneficiaries of the women’s empowerment programme to use the funds productively by investing in their businesses and strengthening their sources of income.
Shettima said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would continue to collaborate with state governments to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
He also defended the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, describing them as measures intended to stabilise the economy, and appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience and understanding.
On the political front, the Vice President called on Nigerians to support the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying continuity in governance would help sustain the administration’s programmes.
He also urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, Governor Dikko Umar Radda said the three road projects formed part of 12 major urban renewal projects being implemented by his administration.
Radda said the state government was also financing additional road projects in different parts of Katsina State as part of efforts to improve infrastructure and connectivity.
The governor commended the Tinubu administration for providing financial support to states, saying such interventions had helped governments at the sub-national level deliver development projects to the people.
Political Defections to APC
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima received some opposition politicians from Katsina State who joined the APC during his visit.
The group was led by former member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mustapha Mohammed Inuwa.
Shettima described the development as an addition to the APC’s political structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
He attributed the decision of the new members to join the APC partly to what he described as the performance of Governor Radda in office.
Speaking on behalf of the new members, Mustapha Inuwa pledged to work for the success of the APC.
