The Executive Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD CON, has commenced a statewide public engagement programmen and the launching of the 2025 Citizens Budget Participation Process alongside the Community Development Programme (CDP) at the Tati Housing Unit, Funtua. This significant town hall engagement is part of a series of public consultations aimed at fostering grassroots involvement in the state’s budgetary process and ensuring equitable distribution of development projects across all local governments.
The event, which will continue at the Conference Hall in Daura and the Conference Hall of the Local Government Services Commission in Katsina in the next two days, radiates the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and community-driven development.
Addressing relevant top stakeholders and citizens, Governor Radda emphasized the importance of establishing Community Development Committees across the thirty-four local governments in the state. A bill to provide the legal framework for these committees will soon be presented to the Katsina State House of Assembly. The committees will play a pivotal role in identifying and prioritizing development projects, ensuring that resources are allocated fairly and projects are executed effectively.
“The Community Development Committees will act as a bridge between the government and the grassroots, enabling us to better understand and meet the needs of our people,” Governor Radda stated. “They will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting any malpractices by contractors or individuals within their localities, thereby enhancing the quality and integrity of our projects.”
Governor Radda also announced that the Federal University of Health Sciences in Funtua will commence admissions in October 2024. A visitation panel is scheduled to ensure that all necessary facilities are in place for the timely start of academic activities. Additionally, the Governor revealed plans to convert the Faculty of Agriculture in Malumfashi into a dedicated College of Agriculture, a move aimed at reducing the risks associated with the current security challenges faced by lecturers and students.
“I have intimated the Tertiary Education Trust Funds (TETFund) on the need to make new structures at the Umaru Yar’adua University, Katsina to continue as the Faculty,” Governor Radda declared.
In furtherance of improving healthcare delivery, Governor Radda disclosed that the state government will establish new general hospitals in Bakori and Danja Local Government Areas. “This initiative is expected to alleviate the burden on residents who currently travel long distances for medical services,” the Governor explained.
During the tripartite event, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Muazu Dan-Musa, provided insights into the state’s ongoing security efforts. He revealed that over thirty billion naira has been spent on security since the inception of the current administration in 2023. According to him, “These funds have been used to engage 1,462 community watch personnel and to support local governments in their security operations.”
Dr. Dan-Musa also stressed the government’s investment in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), arms, and communication gadgets for the security watch corps. He acknowledged the persistent security challenges, alleging the involvement of security personnel, traditional rulers and politicians working bandits responsible for the continued insecurity in the state.
He urged the public to cooperate with the government in exposing all those identified working for bandits, saying it’s a step to reduce the threat in the state. Dan-musa, however, reassured citizens of the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing the insecurity challenge.
In addition, the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prof. Badamasi Lawal Charanci, who now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Program Agency (NSIPA) revealed that the Katsina State Government has released over 130Billion naira for the project execution across the 34 local governments in the state. Adding that 86 Billion of the funds was expended on payment of salaries, gratuities and death gratuities.
“Katsina State Government in collaboration with the 34 LGAs procured adequate fertilizer worth over 13billion naira. This is in addition to about 2billion naira joint foreign scholarship and palliative given to orphans, vulnerable and aged men and women,” Prof. Badamasi asserted.
Adding to the public engagement, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Bello Hussaini Kagara, intimated the public on the progress of the 2024 budget and the goals for the upcoming 2025 fiscal year. He reported that the state government has achieved significant milestones in various sectors including law and order, social welfare and infrastructure development.
He called on citizens to actively participate in the budget process and to support the government’s efforts in addressing security and development challenges.
The town hall engagement marks a new chapter in Katsina State’s approach to governance, one that is centered on citizen participation, transparency, and accountability.
