Although the first 100 days in office in the life of a new administration is too little to provide physical development, it’s still enough to accurately predict the seriousness and trajectory of a new administration. Nigerians are presently celebrating and debating their fortunes using the traditional “100 days in office” to calculate the productiveness of the APC led administration at the center and governors of the 36 states of the federation. For ease of debate, I will limit this to my primary constituency, Katsina State.
Governor Radda started his administration on a high note by conducting a manpower verification and audit exercise to have a reliable database of the state workforce for planning and administrative purposes; to ensure efficiency in the civil service. Known to be prudent, Governor Radda also signed the Treasury Single Account (TSA) bill sent to the KTHA obviously to block leakages while maximizing compliance with financial regulations to conserve and apply resources more judiciously.
Impressively, he also inaugurated a committee for the implementation of State and Local Government Pensions and Gratuity Reforms. Needless to say, this will go a long way in solving the prolonged problem of delayed or non-payment of pensions and gratuities to deserving retired civil servants.
Security being one of his priorities, Governor has signed a Memorandum of Understanding worth $13 Million with UNDP for the implementation of the North West Prevention Facility in North West. The Northwest Prevention Facility is an initiative of UNDP Nigeria, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Norway with the intent of supporting Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states to resolve the intractable problem of insecurity asphyxiating the Northwest. Governor Radda also made real his promise to support security agencies in the fight against banditry by approving the recruitment of 2,400 youths into Katsina Community Watch Corps.
Governor Radda has also approved the monthly release of N10m to Local Government Councils for running costs while also approving the recruitment and training of 150 vigilante group personnel in each Local Government and the purchase of one Toyota Hilux and Motorcycles for up-keep of security some frontline Local Governments. Even more commendable is the deft unprecedented approval for the procurement of security equipments worth N7.8bn to support the fight against banditry and assorted criminality. This is without recourse to the exclusivity of security which the constitution made an exclusive affair of the FG. Alongside his deft decision is his administration’s prioritization of security which climaxed with the establishment of a new Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to coordinate and supervise matters of security in the state.
In his vision to invest and improve healthcare in the state, he approved the release of N112.5 Million for the “2023 Medical Students allowances” to 546 students both home and abroad. He also approved automatic employment and mouthwatering incentives to NYSC members (medical doctors) posted to the state and willing to serve the state after their mandatory one year NYSC program. He also swiftly approved the siting of Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology in Funtua to fulfill requirements set by the Federal Ministry of Education for the establishment of the university.
Just as deft is the Bill presented to KTHA for the establishment of the Katsina Geographic Information System (KATGIS) which is intended to help modernize and preserve the sanctity of this aspect of land administration. Governor Radda also promptly responded and approved the building of drainages at Kofar Kaura underpass, Katsina, to avert future flooding which impact on the city of Katsina could only be imagined if left unresolved.
Equally worthy of commendation is the administration’s establishment of Katsina State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Agency which is intended to identify and coordinate the maximum exploitation of the economic potentials of Katsina State. It’s also worthy to note that Governor Radda initiated and signed a very commendable partnership with Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge UK for the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Katsina for combating infectious diseases.
In a similar move, he also fulfilled his promise to S-Power beneficiaries by approving the recruitment of 7,000 S-Power Primary and Secondary School teachers.Governor Radda also approved counter funding of N2.7 billion for the construction of 75 Secondary Schools in collaboration with the World Bank project, AGILE just as he approved the distribution of 198 Motorcycles for Routine Immunization Officers and Ward Focal Persons in collaboration with GAVI and UNICEF. sThis came shortly after his approval for the release of N271 million for the procurement of instructional materials for distribution to all Primary and Port Primary Schools across the State.
Still, to cushion the impact of today’s national economic challenges, he approved the purchase and distribution of 100 bags of grains to each of the 361 political wards of the State. He also approved the procurement and distribution of 40,000 bags of rice as palliative to less privileged with the first disbursement of N2bn out of the N5bn earmarked for the purpose. N600 million was also approved by Governor Radda for the Procurement of 40 new buses to Katsina State Transport Authority (KTSTA) to support easy and cheap transportation for the people of the state Governor Radda also approved the provision of 76.40 Hectares of land for the upgrade of Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport and payment of compensation worth over N300 Million to 421 land owners for the purpose.
A number of distributions were made by the administration to support people of the state. From distribution of relief materials to 265 flood, distribution of healthcare equipment to some healthcare centers in Katsina metropolis, irrigation equipments to 611 flood victims in 7 LGAs of Batagarawa, Daura, Dandume, Mani, Musawa, and Charanci down to the distribution of materials to 5600 beneficiaries from 22 Local Government Areas in collaboration with Special National Economic and Livelihood Emergency Intervention (SNELEI), it’s a 100 days bazaar of support to enhance the sustainability of the Katsina local economy.
The numerous achievements recorded in various sectors within the first 100 days in office is an indication that Katsina State is in good hands. Let me conclude with a prayer for public support to help the administration achieve its objectives.
May Allah SWT bless this administration with resounding success.
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