Governor Dikko Radda says Katsina is developing a 20-megawatt power project to stimulate economic growth and attract fresh investment. He disclosed this on Monday in Katsina during a fireside chat at the Katsina Economic and Investment Summit.

“We have awarded a contract for a 20-megawatt solar electricity battery system,” Mr Radda said.

He noted that 10 megawatts would be installed at the Lambar Rimi windmill farm in what he called Nigeria’s first wind-solar hybrid system.

“We are going to generate at least 20 megawatts from the Lambar Rimi hybrid project,” he added.

Mr Radda said another 10 megawatts would be supplied to 11 institutions, including hospitals, tertiary schools and government offices.

“As a sub-national, Katsina is leading in renewable energy infrastructure in Nigeria,” he said.

He also said peace was returning to the state due to recent security measures by his administration. He stated that 2,500 youths were recruited into the Community Watch Corps and trained to tackle insecurity in frontline areas.  

The governor said village security committees were created to strengthen local responses to attacks and other threats.

“Farmers are now returning to farmlands previously inaccessible,” Mr Radda said.

 He added that markets in Danmusa, Batsari and Sheme, which had been shut for years, had been reopened following improved security.

To address insecurity, he said the government first focused on reducing unemployment and poverty to make residents more self-reliant.

(NAN)