Katsina State Executive Council has approved a wide range of policy and project interventions aimed at strengthening education, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, agricultural mechanisation, environmental sustainability, and public sector reforms.

The approvals were granted yesterday during the 1st Regular Meeting of the State Executive Council for the year 2026, held at the Council Chamber, General Muhammadu Buhari House, Katsina, and chaired by Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Special Adviser on Public Service Reforms, Usman Isyaku, disclosed that the Council approved the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Committee on Private Tertiary Institutions awarding NCE and Diploma certificates in the State.

“This decision is aimed at strengthening quality assurance, standardisation and overall academic performance across institutions of higher learning in Katsina State,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director General of KASEDA, Dr. Babangida Ruma, said the Council approved the procurement of starter packs for 1,169 graduating apprentices under the KASEDA/NATA Mechatronics Apprenticeship Support Programme.

“This intervention is in line with the administration’s commitment to equipping youths with practical skills and tools to become self-reliant and economically productive,” he stated.

According to a statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in the education sector, the Council ratified the award of contracts for the completion of various facilities at Jikamshi and Dumurkul Model Schools, which were initiated under the AGILE Project but could not be completed earlier due to funding constraints.

“The completion of these projects will enhance learning infrastructure and improve access to quality education across the beneficiary communities,”.

On healthcare delivery, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Bashir Tanimu Gambo, said the Council ratified the award of contracts for the procurement of 68 hospital hand-pump boreholes and 68 tricycle ambulances for the 68 renovated Primary Healthcare Centres across the 34 Local Government Areas of the State.

“These approvals are to ensure optimal operation of the facilities and improve access to effective healthcare services, especially in rural communities,” he explained.

To sustain agricultural investments, the Council also ratified the award of contracts for the procurement of spare parts for tractors and operational vehicles under the Katsina State Agricultural Mechanisation Scheme.

“This is with the objective of ensuring durability, efficiency and uninterrupted service delivery in the implementation of the mechanisation programme,”.

As part of ongoing public service reforms, Usman Isyaku further disclosed that the Council adopted the recommendations and decisions contained in the White Paper on the report of the Committee that screened staff of the 34 Local Government Councils, as amended.

“The move is targeted at sanitising the public service and strengthening efficiency and accountability at the grassroots level,” he noted.

In a major governance reform, the Director General of KATDICT, Mr. Naufal Ahmed, said the Council approved the digitalisation of procurement and contract award processes, from tender invitation to final approvals, to replace manual and paper-based systems with unified digital platforms.

“The initiative is designed to promote transparency, speed, efficiency and corruption-free procedures in public procurement,” he said.

Speaking on environmental sustainability, the Special Adviser on Climate Change, Professor Alamin Muhammad, said the Council approved the full implementation of the Katsina State Green Public Procurement Executive Order, 2025, which provides a legal and administrative framework for integrating environmental sustainability and climate responsibility into all public procurement activities.

“Consequently, all government road and building contracts must now include provisions for tree planting, while applicants for building permits are required to indicate tree-planting plans in their designs before approvals are granted,” he explained.

On infrastructure and commerce, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, said the Council approved the preparation of architectural drawings, structural assessments and Bills of Quantities for the upgrading of Dandume Market in Funtua Zone, Jibia Market in Katsina Zone, and Mashi Market in Daura Zone to modern market standards.

He added that the Council also approved the construction of a new modern market in Daura town, as part of efforts to boost economic activities, improve livelihoods and modernise trading facilities across the State.

The Council noted that all the approvals align with Governor Radda’s commitment to building a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Katsina State through strategic investments, institutional reforms and people-centred development under his “Building Your Future” agenda.