Katsina Gov Unveils New Projects, Expands MSME Support

Katsina State governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has unveiled new people-oriented projects and expanded support for medium enterprises in the state.

The governor who stated this during a week-long series of project-commissioning ceremonies and inspections across the state, pledged to continue to embark on economic diversification and grassroots projects.

Radda, under his ‘Building Your Future agenda,’ said he is focusing on infrastructure advancement.

The governor has in the past week unveiled multi-billion-naira investments in roads, agriculture, education and enterprise development across a number of local governments, including in Malumfashi and Batsari.

Some of the activities include the commissioning of the reconstructed and dualised 3.9-kilometre Funtua-Katsina Road and the upgraded 1.2-kilometre Tsohuwar Kasuwa Road in Katsina metropolis.

The roads, executed at the cost of over N6.4 billion, were delivered with modern solar-powered streetlights.

According to him, the move is to ease traffic congestion, improve road safety and stimulate commercial activities.

Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Radda described the roads as strategic investments that would strengthen the state’s economy by improving mobility, reducing travel time and creating a safer urban environment.

The governor also flagged off another major urban renewal project in Malumfashi, where the state government will construct 20 township roads covering 10.7 kilometres at a cost of ₦10.2 billion.

The governor stressed that the intervention is aimed at increasing access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities, creating jobs during construction and supporting balanced urban development across the state.

Agriculture also received attention during the week with the commissioning of a modern Cassava/Gari Processing Centre in Batsari LGA.

Radda renamed the facility after the late former Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr Abba Sayyadi Ruma, describing it as a major achievement in the state’s agricultural transformation programme.

He said the processing centre would provide dependable markets for farmers and create job opportunities for women and young people through value addition.

He also inspected the ongoing construction of a new secondary school in Batsari approved by his administration last year and expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work.

He reaffirmed his commitment to improving access to quality education through provision of infrastructure and the recruitment of qualified teachers.

The governor also commissioned the newly completed 2.3-kilometre Batsari Township Road and inaugurated renovated councillors’ offices at the local government secretariat, applauding the council for complementing the state’s development efforts through impactful grassroots projects.

The governor also launched the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Business Starter Package Programme in Batsari to assist entrepreneurs.

The initiative provides startup equipment and business support packages to beneficiaries who previously underwent entrepreneurship training, with participants receiving assistance valued at between ₦150,000 and ₦320,000 depending on their business category.

Governor Radda said the programme was designed to restore livelihoods in communities affected by insecurity by promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance and sustainable economic recovery.