Katsina, January 19, 2026
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has flagged off the distribution of 1,100 motorcycles to Community Development Officers (CDOs), Community Support Officers (CSOs) and Community Learning Officers (CLOs), while also commissioning six tube-well drilling machines and three wheel air compressors to boost grassroots service delivery and irrigation farming across the state.
The intervention, according to the Governor, is aimed at strengthening ward-level institutions, improving mobility for frontline officers and expanding dry-season farming through enhanced access to irrigation facilities.
Speaking at the ceremony in Katsina, Governor Radda said the Community Development Programme (CDP) was designed to deepen government presence at the grassroots, with community officers serving as the link between government and the people through mobilisation, project supervision and accountability.
He explained that the motorcycles would improve access to rural and hard-to-reach communities, noting that they are being provided under a hire-purchase arrangement in which government covers 50 per cent of the cost, while beneficiaries repay the balance over five years.
“These motorcycles are tools for service, not gifts. Any sale or misuse will attract sanctions in line with the Civil Service Rules,” the Governor warned.
On agricultural development, Governor Radda recalled the earlier distribution of 4,000 solar irrigation pumps and fertilisers to wards across the state, which he said significantly boosted dry-season farming. He added that irrigation wards have also benefited from gasoline pumps, knapsack sprayers, fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides.
The Governor said the newly commissioned drilling machines and air compressors would expand access to groundwater, reduce dependence on rainfall and strengthen climate-resilient agriculture, describing the initiative as part of an integrated approach to community empowerment and results-driven governance.
Dr. Kamaladdeen Kabir
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Community Development Programme, Dr Kamaladdeen Kabir, described the event as historic for the CDP and the state’s 361 wards. He said the distribution of motorcycles would enhance supervision, monitoring and service delivery, stressing that the motorcycles are strictly for official use.
Dr Kamaladdeen listed key achievements of the programme to include the rehabilitation of over 500 boreholes, renovation of primary schools, prudent management of community funds, and support for various empowerment initiatives, including the distribution of 90,000 bags of grains.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Aliyu Lawal Zakari Shargalle, said the commissioning of the irrigation equipment would support year-round farming, increase yields, create jobs and improve food security in the face of climate change and irregular rainfall.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Katsina State Irrigation Development Authority, Engr. Salim Suleiman, disclosed that the Authority has acquired a suction dredger for desilting dams, rehabilitated irrigation schemes, renovated offices, formed Water Users Associations and commenced preparations for the 2025/2026 dry-season farming through staff training and farmer data capture.
Speaker, Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura
Representing the Katsina State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, commended the initiative, describing it as evidence of the government’s commitment to grassroots development, food security and sustainable agriculture.
Chairman of Katsina Local Government Council, Isah Miqdad
On behalf of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Chairman of Katsina Local Government Council, Isah Miqdad, pledged continued support for the Community Development Programme and assured that the motorcycles and equipment would be properly utilised across communities in the state.
