Katsina, COSMOS forge strategic alliance to deliver N155bn 3,700 mass housing units in Kankia, Radda in first phase, youth empowerment

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Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has described the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Katsina State Government and COSMOS Residential City Nigeria Limited as a major milestone in the state’s drive for mass housing delivery, food security, youth employment and inclusive economic development.

Speaking at the MOU Signing Ceremony yesterday, Governor Radda said the agreement sealed a strategic partnership for the development of 3,750 housing units in Kankia and Radda Local Government Areas — 2,500 units in Kankia and 1,250 units in Radda — under an innovative agro-residential model valued at about ₦155 billion.

“This agreement is the product of careful planning, due diligence and mutual trust. We are determined to ensure that every obligation entered into by the Katsina State Government is fully honoured so that this partnership will stand the test of time and deliver real value to our people,” the Governor said.

He explained that the project, to be executed within a period of 16 months to two years, will combine modern housing with backyard fish farming and vegetable gardens in every home, creating sustainable livelihoods for beneficiaries and boosting local and export-oriented food production.

According to him, the state government has already allocated land for the project in Kankia and Radda and will also identify unemployed youths and low-income households, including those without formal Western education but with practical farming and vocational skills, as beneficiaries.

“This programme is designed to empower our youths and small families. Each beneficiary household will receive a fully completed and furnished house, training in modern farming techniques, digital farm monitoring and access to international markets for their produce,” Governor Radda said.

He added that beneficiaries are expected to earn up to ₦200,000 monthly, with a compulsory savings component of between ₦50,000 and ₦70,000 to gradually offset investors’ costs, after which the houses and farms will become their personal property within a period of three to five years.

The Governor disclosed that the project site has already been handed over to the company, while COSMOS has pledged to fully mobilise to site within 10 days for the immediate commencement of works.

Earlier, the Head of Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale, said the project would deliver 3,750 agro-housing units with strong emphasis on youth empowerment, skills acquisition, food security and community development.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of COSMOS Residential City Nigeria Limited, Murtala Sani Ibrahim, said the project is being implemented in partnership with SuperEye USA Corporation and assured that local contractors, artisans and suppliers in Kankia and Radda would be given first consideration.

He noted that the scheme would later be expanded to Katsina, Daura and Funtua in the second phase and called for the support and cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.

The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; the Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Fadila Mohammed Dikko; the Managing Director, Housing Authority Katsina, Dr. Aliyu Rabi’u Kurfi; the Executive Secretary, KTDMB, Dr. Mustapha Shehu; the General Manager, KASAMA, Dr. Aminu; two Permanent Secretaries, Government House, as well as the management of COSMOS Residential City Nigeria Limited.