The Katsina State Executive Council has approved a comprehensive package of strategic projects worth over N23.8 billion, targeting critical improvements in healthcare delivery, security infrastructure, road connectivity, and hospitality development across the state.
Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe presided over the Wednesday held regular SEC meeting, with Governor Mallam Dikko Umar Radda participating on the sidelines virtually to ensure seamless governance, and uninterrupted decision-making processes.
Arewa PUNCH learnt that the strategic projects, including the Mai’adua Health Centre would be upgraded to a General Hospital status at N1.3 billion, Security perimeter upgrades for 14 frontline General Hospitals approved at N703 million, Rafin Iya–Tashar Bawa–Sabua Road project receives N18.5 billion approval, Katsina Motel leased to Omo Resort gets N2.6 billion revitalisation deal, New Security Consultative Centre approval was at N747 million.
Giving the highlights of the projects, Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Sani Ingawa while briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting at the Government House, Katsina on Wednesday evening said ‘the Council approved the upgrade of the Comprehensive Health Centre in Mai’adua Local Government Area into a full-fledged General Hospital at N1.3 billion, noting that the project will significantly enhance healthcare access for women and children in the area.
‘The Executive Council also approved N703 million for reconstructing and elevating perimeter fences while providing security barricades across 14 General Hospitals located in security frontline local governments. These facilities include hospitals in Kankara, Kafur, Malumfashi, Dandume, Musawa, Faskari, Jibia, Batsari, Funtua, Dutsinma, Kurfi, Danmusa, Katsina metropolis, and Amadi Rimi General Hospital.
‘These upgrades form part of our administration’s comprehensive plan to fortify health institutions in volatile areas and ensure the safety of both staff and patients’, the Commissioner Ingawa emphasised.
The Council also approved N18.5 billion for constructing the critical Rafin Iya–Tashar Bawa–Sabua road project.
Ingawa noted that this strategic road will enhance security operations, improve agricultural produce movement, and facilitate trade and economic activities within the corridor.
‘We are taking practical steps to link communities, support farmers, and expand our state’s internal road network for sustainable development’, he stated.
In his separate submission, the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr. Faisal Kaita announced the Council’s approval of a landmark Public-Private Partnership deal between Katsina State Government and Omo Resort for redeveloping the Katsina Motel.
According to him, ‘The comprehensive N2.626 billion agreement includes N600 million in lease payments over 10 years, N2 billion for complete motel redevelopment, and settlement of outstanding liabilities.
‘This represents a landmark decision that will revive a major hospitality asset and restore it to commercial viability for the benefit of Katsina residents and visitors’, Dr. Kaita declared.
The State Commissioner for Information, Bala Zango who spoke on the approval of security project said, the Council approved the sum of N747,345,026.19 for constructing a new Security Consultative Centre in Katsina just as he explained that the facility will serve as a permanent venue for multi-agency coordination, strategic meetings, and security planning sessions.
‘This facility aligns with our administration’s comprehensive security reform initiative. Upon completion, we will hand it over to the federal government for use as a central coordination hub for all security stakeholders operating in Katsina State’, Zango announced.
He added that the decision reflects Governor Radda’s proactive approach to ensuring effective security sector collaboration and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
‘All approved projects align with Governor Radda’s broader development blueprint of ‘Building Your Future’, which emphasises inclusive governance, resilient infrastructure development, and citizen-focused investments that deliver tangible benefits to Katsina State residents.
Although it is not clear if the Radda is still recovering from the car crash involving his convoy with a private Volkswagen Golf car that suffered head-on-coalition along the Daura – Katsina road last week, thus keeping him out of office and making him to participate in the SEC meeting virtually.
