BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

Residents of Yanduna in Baure Local Government Area of Katsina State are seeking urgent government intervention to address shortages of basic infrastructure, including a secondary school, clean water facilities, drainage and improved security.

The District Head of Yanduna, Alhaji Muhammad Shazali, presented the community's concerns to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda during his visit to the traditional ruler's palace as part of his engagements in Daura Zone under the Tinubu-Dikko 2027 campaign activities.

Shazali said the community needed the completion of an ongoing secondary school project to reduce the difficulties students and parents face in accessing education. He also called for solar-powered boreholes to ease water shortages and better security around schools and other vulnerable locations.

Another concern raised was an abandoned intervention project reportedly initiated through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) or a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme. The traditional ruler urged the government to ensure the project resumed and was completed.

He further requested the construction of drainage channels to manage rainwater and minimise flooding during the rainy season.

Despite listing the challenges, Shazali acknowledged some interventions by the Radda administration, particularly in education, healthcare and community development. He cited improvements to healthcare facilities, the supply of medical equipment and essential materials, as well as school renovation projects across the state.

He also described the reported increase in school enrolment to nearly one million children as an encouraging development.

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The district head praised the Community Development Programme (CDP), which allows traditional rulers and community representatives to identify projects based on the needs of their communities.

In his response, Governor Radda said his administration had implemented 1,019 projects across Daura Zone, with about 131 located in Baure. He listed education, healthcare, empowerment and social welfare among the areas covered by the interventions.

Radda explained that the CDP was introduced to give communities a direct role in deciding which projects should receive attention, rather than having development priorities determined without their input.

He also disclosed that the Baure Local Government chairman had executed nearly 300 projects since taking office.

The governor said traditional and religious leaders remained important partners in maintaining peace and supporting development at the grassroots. He added that the state government had introduced monthly allowances for village heads and 2,555 Jumu'at mosque imams, including their deputies and assistants.

Radda urged traditional rulers and residents to continue supporting his administration through cooperation and prayers for the state's development.