By Lawal Gwanda
For three years, the KATSINA STATE MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT & EMIRATE AFFAIRS has remained at the centre of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s drive to take governance closer to the people.
As the government’s critical link with communities, the Ministry has focused on strengthening the 34 Local Government Areas, supporting traditional institutions and facilitating projects designed to address everyday needs across Katsina State.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS GET STRONGER
Under the leadership of the Commissioner, Hon. Bishir Tanimu Gambo, the Ministry strengthened local government administration through more transparent and timely funding.
Federal allocations were directly disbursed to the 34 LGAs, giving Council Chairmen greater financial capacity to identify and execute projects based on the priorities of their communities.
The Ministry also placed emphasis on capacity building. More than 1,000 local government officials, including Chairmen, Directors and Heads of Departments, received training in budgeting, procurement, accountability and project monitoring.
To ensure that projects were not only approved but properly delivered, regular monitoring and evaluation exercises were conducted through the Department of Local Government Inspectorate under the Office of the Special Adviser, Hon. Lawal Rufa’i Safana.
GRASSROOTS PROJECTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
The Ministry’s collaboration with the LGAs has translated into interventions in several critical sectors.
In healthcare, numerous Primary Health Care Centres were renovated and equipped with basic medical supplies, drugs and solar power systems, improving access to healthcare in rural communities. Several hospitals were also upgraded to General Hospital status, while new healthcare facilities were constructed across the state.
Education also received attention, with support provided for the rehabilitation of primary schools, alongside the supply of furniture and learning materials to create better conditions for pupils and teachers.
In the area of water and rural infrastructure, more than 250 boreholes were facilitated, while drainages, culverts and rural roads were constructed or rehabilitated. The interventions have helped communities gain better access to potable water, markets and farmlands.
Agriculture and economic empowerment were equally prioritised, with LGAs serving as channels for distributing agricultural inputs and empowerment materials to women and young people.
TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS REPOSITIONED
Beyond local government administration, the Ministry has also strengthened the traditional institution.
Through the Office of the Special Adviser on Emirate Affairs, Hon. Abba Jaye, attention was given to the welfare, logistics and administrative needs of the Katsina and Daura Emirate Councils, as well as District and Village Heads.
Traditional rulers have also become important partners in the state’s security efforts. They have supported community intelligence gathering, assisted the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and helped mediate disputes and conflicts at the grassroots.
The Ministry has equally worked to ensure that chieftaincy appointments and disputes are handled promptly and transparently, while respecting established traditions and protecting the cultural heritage of the state.
WOMEN AND YOUTH NOT LEFT BEHIND
The grassroots development agenda has also included women and young people.
In partnership with local governments, thousands of youths and women have benefited from skills acquisition programmes, grants and starter packs aimed at helping them establish sustainable livelihoods.
The Ministry has also promoted greater community participation through town hall meetings, bringing together traditional rulers, youth groups, women organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to contribute to development planning.
GRASSROOTS SECURITY GETS BOOST
Security and peacebuilding have remained another major area of collaboration.
The Ministry worked with Local Government Councils and Emirate Councils to mobilise residents, strengthen community intelligence networks and support security agencies.
Peace meetings were also facilitated in conflict-prone areas, creating platforms for dialogue between communities and helping to improve farmer-herder relations while reducing communal tensions.
THREE YEARS OF IMPACT
After three years, the Ministry’s activities have increasingly brought government closer to ordinary citizens across Katsina State.
From local government administration and traditional institutions to healthcare, education, water supply, agriculture, empowerment and community security, the focus has been on ensuring that development is felt beyond the state capital.
The achievements underscore Governor Radda’s “Building Your Future” agenda, with the Ministry serving as a key vehicle for extending governance and development to wards, villages and districts across Katsina State.
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