Gov. Radda unveils new projects, expands MSME support

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has intensified his administration’s development drive with a series of project-commissioning ceremonies, inspections and groundbreaking events across the state.

Governor Radda, under his Building Your Future agenda, had turned his government’s focus on infrastructure renewal, economic diversification and grassroots development.

Extending the series of activities from previous weeks, 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 were executed at a combined cost of over ₦6.4 billion, were delivered with modern solar-powered streetlights and are expected 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 project also includes the installation of solar-powered streetlights aimed at boosting security and extending economic activities after dark.
Governor Radda said the intervention is expected to improve access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities, create jobs during construction and support balanced urban development across the state.

Agriculture also received a significant boost during the week with the commissioning of a modern Cassava/Gari Processing Centre in Batsari Local Government Area.
Governor Radda renamed the facility after the late former Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Abba Sayyadi Ruma, describing it as a major milestone in the state’s agricultural transformation programme.

He said the processing centre would strengthen the cassava value chain by reducing post-harvest losses.

It will provide reliable markets for farmers and create employment opportunities for women and young people through value addition.

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

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

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

Not leaving aspiring entrepreneurs, Governor Radda 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.

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 specifically designed to restore livelihoods in communities affected by insecurity by promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance and sustainable economic recovery.

The succession of commissioning ceremonies, inspections and project launches across multiple sectors highlights an administration seeking to sustain momentum in delivering infrastructure, expanding economic opportunities and improving public services across Katsina State.