Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has directed the Katsina State Ministry of Water Resources to immediately conduct a technical assessment of two collapsed earth dams in Kore village of Batagarawa Local Government Area and Majen Wayya in Charanchi Local Government Area, ahead of their rehabilitation.
Governor Radda gave the directive on Tuesday at the Government House, Katsina, while receiving a delegation of stakeholders from the ADC and PDP who defected to the APC.
The governor described the damaged dams as critical infrastructure for irrigation farming, rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity, stressing the need for urgent intervention to support affected farmers.
“We must act quickly to restore these dams because our farmers depend on them for their livelihoods,” Radda said.
He explained that the technical assessment would serve as the foundation for rehabilitation works, assuring that the projects would receive prompt approval once the report is submitted.
According to him, water infrastructure remains central to his administration’s agricultural development agenda and broader efforts to strengthen food security in the state.
“Agriculture remains central to our development agenda, and water infrastructure is key to achieving that goal,” he added.
The governor said the collapse of the dams poses a major challenge to farming activities in the affected communities and pledged that the government would not ignore issues affecting the welfare and productivity of residents.
“We will not ignore any issue that affects the welfare and productivity of our people,” he assured.
Speaking on the political developments, Radda welcomed the defectors into the All Progressives Congress (APC), promising them equal treatment and full integration into the party structure.
He directed the APC State Chairman, Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, to ensure smooth integration of the new members.
“Everyone coming into our party will be given equal opportunity to contribute and participate,” the governor stated.
Radda also urged the defectors to mobilise support at the grassroots and enlighten the public on the achievements of his administration ahead of future elections.
He maintained that his government has recorded progress in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure, youth and women empowerment, and security.
“We are committed to delivering real and measurable development to our people,” he said.
Dr. Bishir Gambo Saulawa
Earlier, APC State Chairman, Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, defended the administration against criticism, describing attacks on the government as politically motivated.
He said the achievements of the administration were evident in healthcare, education, empowerment programmes and security interventions across the state.
Leader of the delegation, Alhaji Hamza Dalhatu, said members of the ADC and PDP decided to join the APC in support of Governor Radda ahead of the next general elections.
Dalhatu disclosed that several ADC members and PDP ward chairmen in the area had resolved to defect to the APC.
He also appealed to the governor to rehabilitate the two earth dams, noting that they were originally constructed during his tenure as a member of the House of Representatives.
