Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has unveiled an ambitious budget of N682,244,449,513.87 for the fiscal year 2025, focusing primarily on education, food security, and agriculture. The budget presentation was made during a live event broadcasted to the public via Channel Television, showcasing the government’s commitment to transparency and citizen engagement in financial planning.
The 2025 budget, tagged with a focus on building the future through enhanced public services, allocates significant portions to key sectors. Education has been earmarked as a priority with a substantial budget to improve infrastructure, teaching quality, and access to education across the state. In a state where security challenges continue to impact daily life, the emphasis on food security and agriculture aims to bolster local economies, reduce dependency on external sources, and create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.
Governor Radda emphasized, “This budget is designed not only to address the immediate needs of our people but also to lay a foundation for long-term growth and stability. We are committed to ensuring that every naira spent contributes to the welfare and prosperity of Katsina State.”
The breakdown of the budget includes:
– Education: Aimed at improving educational outcomes through infrastructure development and teacher training.
– Agriculture: Investment in modern farming techniques, irrigation projects, and support for local farmers to increase productivity and ensure food security.
– Water Resources: Projects to enhance water supply for both domestic and agricultural use, addressing the perennial water scarcity issues.
– Health: Funds allocated for upgrading health facilities, equipment, and expanding healthcare coverage to rural areas.
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The budget also reflects the government’s strategy to engage communities in budget planning through the ‘2025 Citizens’ Budget Participation Process’. This initiative has allowed for public input in identifying key areas of focus, underlining a governance approach that is participatory and inclusive.
The budget presentation was not without its critics, with some opposition members questioning the feasibility of the proposed projects amidst ongoing security concerns. However, supporters argue that this budget demonstrates a proactive approach to tackling these issues head-on, with significant investments in community policing and security infrastructure.
Responding to criticism the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Isah Miqdad said, the current administration inherited a backlog of 24 uncompleted, encumbered, and on-going road projects with a cumulative liability of N6,259,630,046.10.
Out of these 24 roads, 10 were completed by the previous government but with unpaid balances. The administration concentrated on these on-going projects, clearing the sum of N4,848,820,642.83 in their execution. Some of these projects have already been completed while others are still on-going.
The state assembly is expected to review the budget in the coming weeks, with public hearings to follow, allowing for further scrutiny and input from various stakeholders across the state. The budget’s approval would mark a significant step towards realizing the governor’s vision for Katsina’s development, focusing on inclusive growth and security.
As the Katsina State House of Assembly moves to scrutinise this budget and eventual passage, all eyes will be on how these funds are managed and whether they can indeed transform the state’s socio-economic landscape.
