The federal government and Katsina State government have reaffirmed their commitment to fast-track the completion of the long-awaited Kano-Katsina federal highway project, alongside four other key road projects in the state.
This development was announced during a courtesy visit by the Minister of State for Works, Barrister Muhammad Bello Goranyo, to the Katsina Government House.
He was received by the State Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, who represented Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor Jobe underscored the importance of the Katsina-Kano highway project, describing it as a transformative initiative that would significantly enhance economic activities and improve security across the North-West region.
“The State Government is passionate about this project because it holds immense potential to boost trade, connectivity, and overall livelihood for our people,” Jobe stated. “We are committed to ensuring its timely completion, including addressing the issue of compensating landowners whose properties are affected by the construction.”
The Deputy Governor further assured that adequate security measures would be put in place to protect construction workers and ensure uninterrupted progress, especially considering the state’s ongoing fight against banditry.
Barrister Goranyo explained that his visit was part of a presidential directive to assess all ongoing federal projects initiated by the previous administration across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to completing these projects, highlighting that adequate budgetary allocations had been made to see them through.
“In Katsina alone, five major roads are set for execution,” the Minister revealed. “These include the dualization of the Katsina-Kano road, the Kano-Daura-Kongolom road, the Kwanar Babangida-Kagara road, the Kafur-Dabai-Malumfashi road, and the Katsina-Kazaure-Maiadua road.”
A key highlight of the visit was the discussion surrounding a new policy mandating State Governments to handle compensation payments for lands acquired for federal road projects.
The Katsina Government, through its Commissioner of Lands and Physical Planning, Dr Faisal Umar Kaita, urged the Federal Government to reconsider this policy for the Katsina-Kano road, noting that the project predated the new regulation.
The Federal Ministry of Works’ Permanent Secretary, Adesina Adewo, clarified that the policy shift was necessary due to the financial strain on the Federal Government and the need to distribute responsibilities more effectively between the Federal and State Governments.
Both Engineer Dr. Sani Magaji Ingawa, Katsina’s Commissioner of Works, Housing, and Transport, and Dr. Kaita expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for prioritizing Katsina’s infrastructure needs.
They assured that the State Government remains committed to working hand-in-hand with the Federal Government to ensure the projects’ timely completion.
The completion of these critical roads promises to enhance economic integration, improve transportation networks, and reinforce security efforts across Katsina and the broader North-West region.
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