Katsina Times | September 25, 2025
The Katsina State Executive Council, chaired by Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved a wide-ranging package of projects designed to boost security, improve education, expand infrastructure, and empower women and youths across the state.
The approvals were reached during the 14th regular council meeting held on Wednesday at Government House, Katsina.
Among the key decisions:
Security: Procurement of 5,000 cartons of ammunition for community watch corps, vigilante groups, and hunters to support security agencies in the fight against banditry.
Transport: Purchase of 30 hybrid buses to promote environmentally friendly commuting and reduce costs.
Infrastructure: Approval for the construction of the Daura Western Bypass Dual Carriageway, as part of the government’s road renewal programme.
Education: Provision of solar-powered water supply, furniture, instructional materials, science and technical equipment at the Special Model School in Radda, alongside a 300 kWp solar PV system, battery storage, CCTV, and solar streetlights.
School Rehabilitation: Declaration of a state of emergency on dilapidated primary schools, with plans to rehabilitate the 10 most run-down schools in each of the state’s 34 Local Government Areas.
Women Empowerment: Training, rehabilitation, and settlement support for widows and vulnerable women, especially those affected by banditry.
Youth Development: Launch of a Graduate Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme offering soft loans to indigent graduates to establish small-scale businesses.
Governance: Remodeling and digitisation of the State Executive Council Chamber to improve efficiency in government processes.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, said the ammunition approval would strengthen collaboration between local security outfits and formal agencies, helping residents “live without fear of banditry.”
Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Sani Magaji Ingawa, explained that the hybrid buses would each carry over 40 students, cutting emissions and transport costs. He added that the Daura Western Bypass project covers 11.43km with an additional 3km dualisation along the Daura-Katsina federal highway.
On education, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hajiya Zainab Musa Musawa, said the emergency declaration on dilapidated schools was part of the “Building Your Future” agenda, adding that rehabilitation work will begin with 340 schools across the state.
Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Abubakar Yar’adua, noted that livelihood support packages would target widows and vulnerable women displaced or affected by insecurity.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), Hajiya Aisha Aminu Malunfashi, said the Graduate Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme would provide soft loans to indigent graduates, “a critical step in tackling youth unemployment and promoting economic stability.”
Governor Radda’s administration said the measures underscore its commitment to security, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth.
