Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Thursday commissioned the first-ever General Hospital in Dandume Local Government Area, fulfilling a campaign promise to improve access to quality healthcare, before visiting Mahuta community to condole families of nine residents who died in a tragic road accident and donating ₦2 million to support the bereaved.
Speaking at the inauguration of the hospital, Governor Radda described the project as the fulfilment of a commitment he made after residents appealed for a modern healthcare facility during one of his visits to the area.
“A promise made is a promise kept. We assured the people of Dandume that they would have a standard General Hospital, and today, by the grace of Allah, we have fulfilled that promise. This facility belongs to the people, and we pray that it serves generations to come,” the governor said.
He disclosed that all personnel required to operate the hospital had already been recruited, adding that many of the junior staff were employed from Dandume Local Government to create jobs and encourage community ownership of the facility.
Governor Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to executing projects that directly improve the lives of citizens, particularly in healthcare, education, infrastructure and agriculture.
He also called on residents to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence and denying criminal elements any form of assistance.
“The fight against insecurity requires collective responsibility. Criminals cannot operate without local support. I therefore urge everyone to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and denying criminals every form of assistance,” he said.
The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Adamu Funtua, described the hospital as another milestone in the state’s healthcare transformation agenda, saying it would expand access to affordable and quality healthcare, especially for people in rural communities.
Chairman of Dandume Local Government Council, Alhaji Bashir Sabiu, commended Governor Radda for fulfilling his promise to establish the area’s first General Hospital, describing the project as a historic intervention that would improve healthcare delivery and reduce the need for residents to seek treatment outside the local government.
Following the commissioning, the governor stopped at Mahuta village to sympathise with families of nine residents who lost their lives in a road accident while returning from a visit to their children at the Federal Government College, Malumfashi.
Describing the incident as a painful loss to the state, Governor Radda conveyed the condolences of the government and people of Katsina State and announced a donation of ₦2 million to assist the bereaved families.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for all of us. On behalf of the Government and people of Katsina State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire Mahuta community. We pray that Almighty Allah grants the departed eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus and gives their loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss,” he said.
The governor assured the community that his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of citizens and remain responsive to the needs of communities across the state.
Responding on behalf of the affected families, the Village Head of Mahuta, Alhaji Sani Hamza, thanked Governor Radda for personally visiting the community and for the financial assistance provided to the bereaved families.
He said the governor’s visit had brought comfort to the grieving community and commended his administration for developmental projects already executed in the area.
The village head also appealed to the state government to include the construction of the Yabasu–Jika–Baraje–Layin Kadanya–Tunburkai road and the Dandume–Mahuta–Funtua road in future budgets.
