Those that like to milk Katsina state at the front burner of national discussions have shied away for a while, seeing how the state’s prudent non-kinetic approach to curbing insecurity and improving upon the delivery of democratic dividends are coming together to transform its developmental landscape. If one can recall, the Katsina state governor hosted quite a number of diplomats in Katsina during the Eid-el-fitr Sallah celebrations earlier this year.
Ten ambassadors and quite a number of representatives of the European Union were in Katsina at the behest of Dr. Dikko Radda, the Katsina state governor. At the event, Dr. Radda emphasised the importance of redefining Katsina’s image and countering the negative media portrayals. “We want the world to see the real Katsina state beyond media reports. Today, you are here in Katsina, witnessing firsthand the true essence of our people and culture”, he added.
Not long afterwards, the Katsina state governor embarked on a tour of some of these countries to seek investments, and developmental partnerships, as it was obvious that enhancing the economic growth and development of Katsina is the only way the state can be taken back fully from the insecurity harness, that has debilitated the unleashing of Katsina state’s great potentials. While abroad, Dr. Radda secured cooperations in technology, education, agriculture, defence, and ICT with a main focus on youths. Clean and renewable energy opportunities were also explored and Lambar Rimi Wind Farm and the expansion of hybrid renewable energy infrastructure across Katsina topped the conversations.
All these efforts came together in one roof last week as the Katsina Economic Summit heralded the influx of foreign and domestic investments worth over N489 billion! Notable investors that made the commitment at the event included Dar Alhalal, CONSTRIX and Estate, Darma Rice Mill, and Gobarau Agro Allied Companies. Others were Equatorial Marine Oil & Gas Company Limited and Boko Fertilizer Nigeria Limited.
Interestingly, there was a bolster of home support, as two business moguls from the state, Umaru Mutallab, and Dahiru Mangal, also pledged billions in huge investments. The governor said that the state was building an economy that empowers young people, supports women led enterprises, strengthens families and restores dignity. His message to investors was simple; “We have created a fertile and secure ground for your investments and Katsina is ready for you”.
Strides in security with the Community Watch Corps as a local security outfit, and other transformative governance reforms such as Treasury Single Account, KATGIS land administration system, Directorate of ICT, Digital one stop shop for businesses, etc, have been very vital in promoting the attractive investment climate the state now boasts of. At the summit, Dr. Dikko Radda highlighted that Katsina state’s partnerships with the World Bank, UNDP, NGOs in the U.S, and most recently the Belarus Border Security Agency, have continued to open doors for development financing, humanitarian support and other technology advancements.
The summit and its results — a huge war chest of millions of dollars, has really put Katsina on a spin and the wave of governmental activities in the last few weeks have really reached a crescendo, proving that Katsina is witnessing unprecedented step-up in economic activities across the state. For example, the demand for commercial vehicles for commute has risen so much that the Katsina State Transport Authority, KSTA, has had to make new purchases of about 15 18-seater Toyota Hiace buses bringing in a total of 33 buses in the last one and half year.
This is being funded by KSTA’s IGR. KSTA is also building a mega transport terminal at Dandagoro. It has built two substations at Tamashi and Ingawa with renovations and improvements at Daura and Dutsin-ma. Food security in Katsina also received a boost recently with the launch of a 10-hectare TORQ Poultry farm. This is to help in providing high quality animal protein while strengthening livelihoods across the agricultural value chain.
TORQ Agro Nigeria Limited investments in Katsina is inspiring young farmers, providing employment opportunities for youths and nutrition for communities, as well as positioning Katsina as the hub for value-added agriculture in the North. TORQ is already into the export of Sesame and Soybeans, Hibiscus, Ginger, Cashew and some minerals in Katsina state. TORQ wlll be building a $30 million soybeans processing and oil refining plant at the Agricultural Mechanisation Zone, Tashar Bala, which would definitely position Katsina as a major Agro-industrial hub.
In a statewide tour of all the 34 local government areas in Katsina state, tagged engagement tour, the governor sought to assess ongoing projects in the state, flag-off new ones, and engage with relevant stakeholders and members of the community with a view to understanding their needs, and to gather inputs from the grassroots; which would in turn be useful for project planning and implementation. Some of the projects the governor flagged off included the N18.5 billion Sabuwa-Tashar Bawa-Rafin Iwa Road which is strategic in opening up road access through the surrounding rural communities and strengthening statewide connectivity.
There’s also the Polo Ring road which is a major step towards urban renewal. The road will be equipped with solar street lights which will transform Filin Polo, one of the neglected inner-city communities. The governor also flagged off the Safe Space Energy project which is meant to transform clean transportation, strengthen the green economy, and unlock new opportunities for the youth. The project is designed to strengthen Katsina’s transportation system, accelerate its clean energy transition, and expand economic opportunities for young people. The project indeed puts Katsina ahead of most other states as one of the emerging hubs for renewable and alternative energy in Northern Nigeria. Safe Space Energy Limited has already purchased 50 CNG-hybrid vehicles for Katsina. The chairman also announced the introduction of Keke Napep CNG conversion kits.
The governor also commissioned the Katsina Trade Facilitation Centre in a very historic breakthrough as it becomes the second ever in Nigeria, and the first at the subnational level backed by legislation. The centres are to be established in all 34 local government areas. The centres are to provide an enabling environment where businesses can start, grow, collaborate and compete even with others across international borders. Katsina is indeed witnessing huge development leaps in the hands of a focused and experienced technocrat.
