By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has disclosed that the state government invested more than ₦700 million in modern development control equipment to enhance orderly urban expansion and ensure strict implementation of the newly unveiled masterplans for Katsina, Daura, and Funtua.
The governor made this known at the Government House during the presentation of the 2025–2040 masterplans, describing the move as a bold intervention aimed at correcting years of inadequate planning enforcement and unchecked urban growth.
According to him, the Urban and Regional Planning Board has been revitalised and equipped with state-of-the-art development control tools valued at over ₦700 million to boost the state’s regulatory capacity.
“We have revitalised the Urban and Regional Planning Board and procured modern development control equipment worth over ₦700 million. This will strengthen our capacity to regulate physical development and prevent the chaos associated with unplanned growth,” he stated.
Governor Radda observed that the poor enforcement of previous masterplans had led to the spread of slums, persistent flooding, overcrowding, and environmental degradation across urban centres.
He affirmed that the new investment would support a stronger development control system designed to safeguard public infrastructure, protect the environment, and promote structured city growth.
The governor further noted that the newly gazetted masterplans for Katsina, Daura, and Funtua would be backed by strict regulatory supervision, reinforced by technology-driven monitoring and compliance mechanisms.
To strengthen enforcement, he revealed that an Executive Order has been signed establishing formal planning areas, thereby providing the legal backing for tighter regulation of land use and building activities.
Governor Radda added that traditional rulers and land vendors have been incorporated into the development control framework to enhance transparency and accountability in land transactions. He stressed that land transactions must now be properly documented, with vendors mandated to register with relevant authorities to ensure adherence to planning standards.
The Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Faisal Umar Kaita, described the acquisition of development control equipment as central to the state’s broader urban reform agenda.
“Planning without enforcement is ineffective. This investment equips the Urban and Regional Planning Board with the tools needed to ensure that the masterplans translate into visible, measurable improvements,” he said.
He noted that the state’s rapidly expanding population demands robust regulatory systems capable of addressing congestion, infrastructure strain, and environmental challenges.
Urban planning expert Yakubu Aliyu Bununu explained that the newly acquired equipment would improve surveillance, compliance monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.
He stated that modern development control systems depend on technology to monitor land use, identify violations, and guide sustainable urban growth, adding that the investment aligns Katsina with global best practices in city planning.
Governor Radda reiterated his administration’s resolve to build resilient, well-structured, and economically dynamic cities.
“Our goal is simple: to ensure that our urban centres grow in a way that guarantees access roads, drainage, utilities, housing, and green areas — not disorder and avoidable crises,” he said.
The investment coincides with the unveiling of the Katsina, Daura, and Funtua 2025–2040 masterplans, which provide long-term frameworks for land use, transportation, housing, utilities, and environmental sustainability.
