Katsina Embraces Infrastructure to Boost Economy

The Katsina State Government has embarked on various road projects aimed at promoting agriculture towards a better economy and development of the state. The government said it took this measure to raise the standard of living of the people through job creation and attracting investment.

The state government has completed the rehabilitation and construction of 13 roads to ease the transportation of goods, farm produce and livestock to markets in both rural and urban areas.

In addition to township roads and drainages constructed to avert flooding, it has commenced the construction of a N5.8 billion interchange (underpass) projects at Kofar Kaura and Kofar Kwaya. The projects were awarded to Traicta Construction. The Kofar Kaura underpass was awarded at the cost of N3 billion, while that of Kofar Kwaya was at the cost of N2.8 billion. Speaking during the groundbreaking of the projects, Governor Aminu Masari, said 70 percent of the N5.8 billion had been paid to the contractor handling the project. He said, “The contractor of these two particular projects would have no excuse because already we have paid in advance 70 per cent of the total cost”. “And we had made adequate provision that if the contractor can perform magic and finish these projects in one day, he will have his remaining money ready for him.

“My appeal to the contractor and the consultant is about quality of work, especially draining water from the roads because it is very important for the roads to last longer and be beneficial to the people of Katsina state.”

He expressed his administration’s determination and commitment to provide all that is needed and indeed, conducive environment for business to thrive in all nook and cranny of the state.

According to him, “Since a good road network is one of such conditions necessary to boost economic activities, the government will not rest on its oars to provide roads linking all our towns and villages.”

The state is reported to have spent over N5 billion for the provision of drainage to tackle erosion within the Katsina metropolitan area.

On its part, the contractor assured the government and people of the state that his company would deliver good quality job on the first Katsina city interchanges and complete the projects on or even before the timeframe of 12 months.

Meanwhile, the Katsina State road projects, which are part of the overall rural and urban development efforts of the state government, is sure to play a significant role in opening the state to promote economic sustainability and intra state transportation as residents good road network .

In addition, Katsina is to generate about 10 megawatts of electricity through its windmill power project established by the Federal Government, which says that adequate measures had been taken to ensure speedy completion of project. The windmill and power substation project will generate about 10 megawatts of electricity. The projection is that the country’s power stock should range between 11,000 t0 25,000 megawatts in the coming years while other options include scaling up the energy mix.

Challenging Factors: Insecurity, communal clashes, closed businesses, poor road networks, multiple taxes.