Katsina Executive Council approves strategic projects to strengthen security, education, transport, women empowerment, others

• Procurement of 5,000 cartons of ammunition for community watch corps, vigilante groups, and hunters to support security operatives in combating banditry across the state.
• Procurement of 30-unit hybrid buses to promote environmentally friendly transportation and reduce commuting costs.
• Approval for the construction of the Daura Western Bypass Dual Carriageway as part of ongoing road renewal projects.
• Provision of solar-powered water supply and reticulation at Special Model Schools in Radda, including furniture, instructional materials, and science and technical equipment.
• Installation of a 300 kWp solar PV system, battery energy storage system, CCTV cameras, solar-powered streetlights, and backup generators at the schools.
• Declaration of a State of Emergency on dilapidated primary school buildings across the state, with rigorous rehabilitation planned for the 10 most dilapidated primary schools in each of the 34 Local Government Areas.
• Rehabilitation, empowerment training, and settlement support for widows and vulnerable women, particularly those affected by banditry and other societal challenges.
• Launch of a Graduate Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme providing soft loans to indigent graduates to establish small businesses and tackle youth unemployment.
• Remodeling, upgrading, and automation of the State Executive Council Chamber, migrating from analog to digital processes to improve efficiency and service delivery.

The Katsina State Executive Council, under the leadership of Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved a series of transformative projects aimed at strengthening security, improving infrastructure, enhancing education, supporting women, and empowering youth. These approvals reflect the administration’s Building Your Future agenda, emphasizing safety, economic opportunity, and sustainable development.

The decisions were made yesterday during the 14th regular Council meeting, chaired by Governor Radda.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, a team of Commissioners, led by Commissioner for Information Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, Commissioner for Works Engr. Sani Magaji Ingawa, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Hajiya Zainab Musa Musawa, Commissioner for Women Affairs Hadiza Abubakar Yar’adua, and Director-General of KASEDA Hajiya Aisha Aminu Malunfashi, outlined the resolutions and their expected impact:

Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, Commissioner for Information, emphasized the approval of ammunition for community watch corps, vigilante groups, and hunters.
“This initiative strengthens collaboration with our security operatives and enhances public safety, allowing residents to live without fear of banditry,” he stated.

Engr. Sani Magaji Ingawa, Commissioner for Works and Housing, highlighted the council’s approval for hybrid buses and road construction projects.
“The procurement of 30-unit hybrid buses, each carrying over 40 students, aligns with the administration’s effort to reduce environmental emissions and transportation costs. Additionally, the construction of the Daura Western Bypass Dual Carriageway, 11.43km with dualization of spur in Daura-Katsina Federal Highway, 3.0km, reflects our commitment to ongoing road renewal projects across the state,” he explained.

Hajiya Zainab Musa Musawa, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, announced that projects at Special Model School in Radda will improve the learning environment through solar-powered water supply, provision of furniture, instructional materials, science and technical equipment, a 300 kWp Solar PV system, battery energy storage system, CCTV cameras, solar-powered streetlights, and backup generators.
She added that the Council declared a state of emergency on dilapidated primary school buildings across the state. She noted that this approval is in line with the concerted efforts of the present administration to revitalize the education sector at all levels as envisaged by the Building Your Future agenda. The first phase will target the 10 most dilapidated primary schools in each of the 34 Local Government Areas.

Hadiza Abubakar Yar’adua, Commissioner for Women Affairs, explained that the Council approved rehabilitation, empowerment training, and settlement support for widows and vulnerable women.
“This initiative particularly targets women affected by banditry and other societal vices, providing livelihood packages to address the social, economic, and security challenges they face,” she said.

Hajiya Aisha Aminu Malunfashi, Director-General of KASEDA, highlighted the launch of the Graduate Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme.
“This programme provides soft loans to indigent graduates from Katsina State, enabling them to establish small businesses. It is a critical step in addressing youth unemployment and promoting economic stability in our state,” she noted.

The Council also approved the remodeling, upgrading, and automation of the State Executive Council Chamber to migrate from analog systems to digital processes for more efficient governance and service delivery.

These approvals underscore Governor Radda unwavering commitment to transparent governance, sustainable development, security, and inclusive economic growth.