Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, says President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have improved the financial capacity of states to fund infrastructure, salaries and pensions without depending on loans.
The governor spoke on Sunday at the Tinubu/Dikko Assured 2027 Islamiyya Teachers’ Empowerment programme, held alongside the commissioning of 45 solar-powered streetlights in Katsina.
Radda disclosed that his administration had completed projects worth more than N30bn without borrowing, attributing the achievement to prudent management of available 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,” he said.
The governor maintained that the performance of leaders should be measured by what they deliver rather than political promises or criticism.
“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 also praised the TDA initiative for supporting people at the grassroots, particularly teachers in Islamiyya schools.
He announced N10,000 each for the 690 beneficiaries and urged private individuals, organisations and philanthropists to support government programmes.
The governor further appealed to residents not to allow misinformation to overshadow genuine development, while challenging politicians seeking office to present clear solutions to the problems facing the people.
Former Katsina governor, Aminu Masari, also backed the administration, saying political leaders should make the welfare of citizens their priority.
Masari said anyone who refused to recognise the achievements of Tinubu and Radda was “being hypocritical.”
He highlighted major Federal Government infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, saying improved roads and other infrastructure would encourage economic growth, create jobs and support farming.
He equally praised the Kaduna-Abuja Road for what he described as improvements resulting from effective leadership.
The Director-General of TAD, Umar Zayyad, said the organisation had expanded its programmes to provide more support for Islamiyya teachers and their beneficiaries.
Zayyad said the initiative was inspired by Tinubu’s leadership and recalled the President’s positive assessment of Radda’s administration during his visit to Katsina.
