Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Radda, has credited President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms with enabling his administration to execute development projects worth more than N30 billion while paying workers’ salaries and pensions without resorting to borrowing.
Radda made the claim on Sunday at the Tinubu/Dikko Assured 2027 Islamiyya Teachers’ Empowerment Programme, school inauguration and virtual commissioning of 45 solar-powered streetlights in Katsina.
The governor said the state government was currently executing projects without taking loans, describing the development as evidence of prudent financial management.
“Today, there is no sector where we are taking a loan to execute a single project in Katsina State. We are paying pensions and meeting our obligations to the people of Katsina,” he said.
Radda said the situation had previously been different, alleging that the state had depended on borrowing to meet salary obligations.
He attributed the change partly to the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, particularly financial reforms and local government autonomy.
“President Tinubu’s reforms and support have helped states deliver projects, pay salaries and pensions as and when due. These reforms particularly include local government financial autonomy,” he said.
The governor argued that the performance of political leaders should be assessed based on measurable achievements rather than political rhetoric.
“Once leaders make promises to the people, they have a responsibility to fulfil those promises. Leadership is built on trust, not deception,” he said.
Radda urges support for grassroots development
Radda commended the Tinubu/Dikko Assured initiative for focusing on grassroots development, particularly through its support for teachers in Islamiyya schools.
He announced a personal donation of N10,000 to each of the 690 beneficiaries of the programme, amounting to N6.9 million, which he rounded up to N7 million.
The governor urged individuals, organisations and philanthropists to complement government interventions, noting that government alone could not meet every development need across the state.
He also cautioned residents against allowing misinformation to undermine what he described as genuine development efforts.
Radda challenged political aspirants to present practical blueprints for addressing the challenges facing residents rather than relying on criticism of existing administrations.
Masari backs Tinubu, Radda
Former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari also commended the Tinubu and Radda administrations, saying political leaders had a responsibility to prioritise the welfare and development of citizens.
Masari said those who refused to acknowledge what he described as the achievements of Tinubu and Radda were being hypocritical.
“Anyone who ignores the achievements of President Tinubu and Governor Radda is being hypocritical,” he said.
The former governor cited major Federal Government infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other strategic road projects, arguing that improved infrastructure would stimulate economic activity, create opportunities and support agriculture.
He also commended improvements on the Kaduna-Abuja Road, describing them as evidence of the impact of effective leadership.
The Director-General of Tinubu/Dikko Assured, Umar Zayyad, said the organisation had expanded its programmes to support teachers and beneficiaries of Islamiyya schools.
Zayyad said the initiative was inspired by Tinubu’s leadership and recalled that the President had expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Radda administration during his visit to Katsina.
He also reiterated the claim that the Katsina State Government had executed more than N30 billion worth of projects without borrowing, urging residents to continue supporting government development initiatives.
