Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accountability, citizen participation and effective implementation of development interventions, following a comprehensive portfolio review by the World Bank.
A statement signed by Ibrahim kaula Mohammad, chief press secretary to the Governor, said Governor Radda stated this yesterday when he received the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis and his delegation at the Government House, Katsina.
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Verghis was accompanied by the Task Team Leader for the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up, the Co-Task Team Leader, the National Project Coordinator of the Nigeria for Women Project, and the Head of Country Management and Development (CMD) of the World Bank.
Governor Radda welcomed the delegation and thanked the World Bank for its sustained partnership with Katsina State. He assured the team that his administration will continue to strengthen collaboration, resolve implementation bottlenecks and ensure that every development financing translates into measurable and sustainable results for the people.
He said his government deliberately adopted a community-driven development model to ensure communities identify their own priorities, participate in implementation and take ownership of projects designed to improve their welfare.
This, he noted, informed the creation of the Community Development Programme and the strengthening of the ward-level participatory budgeting process where citizens have a direct voice in the budget.
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Governor Radda further explained that the Katsina State Development Management Board (KTDMB) was empowered as the overarching coordination mechanism to align all development partners, reduce duplication and ensure strict compliance with government priorities, financing agreements and implementation commitments.
Earlier, the World Bank team said the visit was to undertake a comprehensive review of World Bank-supported programmes in the State covering Investment Project Financing (IPF) and Programme-for-Results (PforR) operations, including implementation progress, financial performance and measures to accelerate development outcomes.
The delegation commended Katsina for gradually emerging as a model for proper coordination of development partners through the KTDMB and for institutionalizing community-driven development across sectors including education, agriculture, livelihoods and social development.
The Bank specifically applauded the Governor for the Community Development Programme, describing it as a critical framework that ensures government interventions respond to actual community needs while strengthening ownership, accountability and sustainability.
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The team also lauded the State’s participatory budgeting approach as an important shift towards bottom-up planning and noted that Katsina is not just implementing isolated projects, but building a system of community-driven development consistent with the World Bank’s philosophy.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Private Secretary, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; Executive Director, Katsina State Development Management Board, Mustapha Shehu; Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Aminu Malumfashi and other top government officials.
