Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has said the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu are enabling states to execute major development projects while meeting salary and pension obligations without resorting to borrowing.
Radda stated this on Sunday at the Tinubu/Dikko Assured 2027 Islamiyya Teachers’ Empowerment, where he commissioned 45 solar-powered streetlights in the state.
He said his administration had executed projects worth more than N30 billion without taking loans, describing the development as evidence of responsible leadership and prudent management of resources.
“Today, there is no sector where we are taking a loan to execute a single project in Katsina State. We are paying pensions and meeting our obligations to the people of Katsina.
“The situation was different in the past when the state depended on borrowing to pay workers’ salaries,” the governor stated.
He noted that leadership should be assessed based on performance and measurable results, rather than political rhetoric and negative narratives, saying, “Once leaders make promises to the people, they have a responsibility to fulfil those promises. Leadership is built on trust, not deception.
“President Tinubu’s reforms and support had helped states deliver projects, pay salaries and pensions as and when due. These reforms particularly include local government financial autonomy.”
Radda commended the TDA initiative for its focus on grassroots development, particularly its empowerment of Islamiyya teachers.
He then announced a personal donation of N10,000 to each of the 690 beneficiaries, as he urged citizens, organisations and philanthropists to complement government efforts.
Radda cautioned citizens against allowing misinformation to undermine genuine development efforts and challenged political aspirants to present concrete blueprints for addressing the challenges facing the people.
Earlier, a former governor of the state, Aminu Masari, said political leaders have a responsibility to prioritise the welfare and development of the people.
Masari said anyone who refused to acknowledge the achievements of the president and Radda was “being hypocritical.”
He cited major Federal Government infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other strategic road projects, saying improved infrastructure would stimulate economic activities, create opportunities and support agricultural development.
Masari also commended the improvements on the Kaduna-Abuja Road, describing it as evidence of the impact of effective leadership.
The Director-General, TAD, Umar Zayyad, said the organisation had expanded its programmes to support teachers and beneficiaries of Islamiyya schools.
Zayyad said the initiative was inspired by Tinubu’s leadership, recalling that the president had expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Radda-led administration during his visit to the state.
