Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for traders, transport operators and small businesses across the state, urging organised groups to take advantage of government-backed economic support programmes.
Governor Radda gave the assurance while receiving the Coalition of Trade Groups and Transport Unions, led by Hon. Tanimu Sada, on a solidarity visit to Muhammadu Buhari House, Katsina.
The coalition, comprising about 80 trade and transport associations with an estimated 30,000 members, declared support for the Governor’s leadership and his 2027 re-election bid.
Receiving the delegation, Governor Radda thanked the groups for their cooperation with his administration and said the government would remain faithful to the mandate entrusted to it by the people.
“We will continue to tell the truth and serve the people of Katsina without betrayal. We will continue to work in the interest of our people and fulfil the trust they have placed in us,” the Governor said.
Governor Radda stated that his administration had delivered between 80 and 90 per cent of its campaign promises, despite the security challenges confronting the state.
He explained that insecurity had not stopped the government from pushing ahead with projects and programmes in education, agriculture, human capital development, water supply and other critical sectors.
The Governor particularly highlighted the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) as one of the administration’s major vehicles for supporting businesses, creating jobs and strengthening the economic capacity of residents.
According to him, the administration has injected more than ₦5 billion into KASEDA to widen access to financial support and other opportunities for small and medium-scale businesses.
“We established KASEDA because of the nature of organisations like yours and the businesses you represent. We have injected over ₦5 billion into the agency to support businesses and create opportunities for our people,” Governor Radda said.
He therefore challenged leaders of the coalition to work directly with KASEDA, understand the requirements for accessing its programmes and ensure that eligible members benefit.
The Governor disclosed that funds were still available through the agency for additional beneficiaries, stressing that government interventions would have greater impact when organised groups actively connect their members with available opportunities.
Governor Radda also spoke on the Community Development Programme (CDP), describing it as part of the administration’s approach to taking development closer to communities by allowing people to identify and implement projects that respond to their immediate needs.
On the 2027 elections, the Governor welcomed the coalition’s declaration of support but challenged its members to translate their commitment into genuine grassroots mobilisation.
“We appreciate everything you have done and, particularly, this solidarity visit. You have come to express your support, and we expect that support to translate into mobilisation at the polling-unit level. Ultimately, it is the results that we are looking forward to,” he said.
The coalition presented Governor Radda with an Entrepreneurship and MSME Development Award in recognition of his administration’s interventions in entrepreneurship, business development and economic empowerment.
Earlier, leader of the delegation, Hon. Tanimu Sada, said the coalition had consulted widely and assessed projects and programmes being implemented by the administration before the visit.
He noted that a large number of its members operate small businesses and could contribute more significantly to Katsina’s economy through stronger engagement with government programmes.
Chairman of the Coalition of Trade Groups and Transport Unions, Alhaji Musa Garba Yandoma, also reaffirmed the coalition’s support for Governor Radda, saying its membership cuts across motorcycle and tricycle operators, livestock traders and several other business associations.
Yandoma commended the administration’s interventions in security, agriculture, education and support for small and medium-scale enterprises, assuring that the coalition would take information about available government programmes directly to its members.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, members of the Katsina State Executive Council and other senior government officials.
