The Maska Area Development Association, a progressive union in Funtua Local Government, has commended Governor Dikko Umar Radda for strengthening traditional institutions in Katsina State, describing the move as a strategic step towards grassroots development.
In a statement signed by its President, Mallam Salihu Habibu Maska, and made available to newsmen in Katsina, the Association lauded the Governor’s recent creation of six additional District Head offices, noting that the initiative would “enhance the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.”
The group, however, appealed to Governor Radda to go further by creating additional Emirate Councils across the state to accelerate socio-economic growth and improve accessibility to traditional leadership.
According to the Association, the Katsina Emirate is vast and difficult for the Emir of Katsina to regularly tour all districts, making it necessary to establish new Emirates that would “bridge the gap and enable traditional institutions to function more effectively at the grassroots.”
The Association proposed the creation of seven new Emirates: Katsina Emirate, Durbi Emirate in Mani, Kankia Emirate, Yandaka Emirate in Dutsinma, Gozaki Emirate in Malumfashi, Maska Emirate in Funtua, and Daura Emirate in Daura.
It outlined the potential benefits of the move to include the promotion of socio-economic development, wider distribution of democratic dividends, fair sharing of political positions on a character-balanced formula, and healthy competition in implementing government policies and programmes.
The Association further urged Governor Radda to upgrade the six local government areas created by late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua—but later dissolved—into District Head areas to support state reforms.
Expressing optimism, the group concluded that the Governor would answer their call to fulfill the wishes of the people.
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