Commissioning of major road infrastructure and launch of modern public transport

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

It is with profound gratitude to Almighty Allah and great pleasure that I welcome His Excellency, the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, and all our distinguished guests to Katsina State for this important occasion.

Today's event marks a significant milestone in our administration's commitment to infrastructure development, urban renewal and the modernisation of public transportation. These interventions reflect our determination to build a more connected, accessible and economically vibrant Katsina State, where infrastructure serves as a catalyst for investment, productivity and improved quality of life.

Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

Our administration recognises that an efficient road network is fundamental to economic growth, urban development and social progress. Accordingly, we have continued to invest in strategic road infrastructure designed to improve connectivity, ease traffic congestion, enhance road safety and facilitate the movement of people and goods.

Today, we are commissioning three major road projects under our comprehensive Urban Renewal Programme, namely:

• Water Board Roundabout–Kofar Sauri–Central Mosque Roundabout Road, covering approximately 4.8 kilometres;
• CPS–Kofar Kaura Underpass Road, covering approximately 2.4 kilometres; and
• Filin Polo–Ring Road Two-Lane Single Carriageway, covering approximately 4 kilometres.

These projects are integral components of a broader urban road network designed to improve traffic circulation, reduce travel time, strengthen connectivity and support the orderly expansion of Katsina metropolis.

Your Excellency may recall that, in October 2025, you graciously commissioned the Central Mosque Roundabout–Water Board Roundabout Road, while His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, commissioned the Eastern Bypass Road in May 2025. These interventions form part of the twelve major urban renewal road projects being implemented within Katsina metropolis.

Our development philosophy is to establish an integrated and interconnected road network rather than undertake isolated projects. This approach ensures that individual roads complement one another and collectively improve accessibility across the metropolis.

We are extending this approach to Daura and Funtua to ensure that urban renewal and infrastructure development benefit communities across the three senatorial zones of the State.

Beyond the urban centres, our administration remains committed to improving rural road connectivity. To date, more than 240 kilometres of urban and rural roads have been covered through our ongoing infrastructure interventions across Katsina State.

These investments are intended to connect communities, improve access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities, reduce transportation difficulties and create better conditions for agriculture, commerce and private-sector investment.

We appreciate the continued support of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Federal Government for initiatives that advance infrastructure development and economic growth in our State. We are particularly grateful to Your Excellency, the Vice-President, for honouring our invitation and for your continued support for the development aspirations of Katsina State.

Under our Building Your Future Agenda, we will sustain investments in strategic infrastructure that deliver practical benefits to our people and lay a solid foundation for long-term economic development.

The second major component of today's programme is the launch of modern public transportation, which represents another important step towards improving mobility and providing more efficient transport services for our people.

We are launching a fleet of 32 hybrid buses, including vehicles incorporating electric, diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technologies. The initiative is designed to improve public transportation services and provide more convenient and efficient mobility for residents across the State.

The buses will serve the Katsina, Daura and Funtua areas, extending the benefits of modern transportation to the three senatorial districts. The intended beneficiaries include students, workers, traders and members of the general public who depend on affordable and reliable transportation for their daily activities.

To ensure the effective operation and maintenance of the fleet, our administration has established three supporting facilities, comprising a main terminal and workshop in Katsina and mini-terminal stations in Daura and Funtua.

In addition, forty modern bus stops are being provided across the three selected Local Government Areas. Equipped with Wi-Fi and solar inverter systems, these facilities are intended to improve passenger convenience while introducing modern technology into the State's public transportation system.

These investments reflect our understanding that an effective transportation system requires more than the provision of vehicles. It also requires appropriate terminals, maintenance facilities, passenger infrastructure and reliable operational arrangements.

Our transportation reform extends beyond buses. Today, we are also launching 200 electric tricycles as part of our broader programme to deploy 500 electric Keke EVs across Katsina State.

This initiative is intended to promote cleaner and more efficient mobility while creating economic opportunities for transport operators, young people, technicians and businesses involved in the electric mobility sector.

The introduction of electric tricycles will also create opportunities for the development of charging infrastructure, vehicle maintenance services, technical training and other supporting enterprises. These activities can contribute to employment generation, skills development and the diversification of our State's economy.

This is the thinking behind our approach, which may be described as “From Energy Transition to Economic Transformation.” Our objective is not merely to introduce new vehicle technologies but to develop a modern transportation ecosystem that supports productive enterprise, creates jobs and improves the efficiency of mobility.

By progressively integrating electric mobility, CNG technology and conventional transport infrastructure, Katsina State is taking practical steps towards a more diversified, efficient and modern public transportation system.

We recognise, however, that the success of these initiatives will depend on effective management, regular maintenance, adequate technical capacity and responsible use of the facilities provided. We will therefore continue to emphasise sustainability and accountability in the operation of these investments.

Your Excellency, Mr Vice-President, distinguished guests,

Transportation is central to the daily lives and economic activities of our people. Workers must reach their places of employment, students must travel to schools, traders need access to markets, and farmers require reliable means of transporting their produce.

By investing in roads and modern public transportation together, we are addressing two closely related dimensions of development: the infrastructure that connects our communities and the transport services that enable our people to move efficiently within and between them.

These interventions are expected to improve accessibility, facilitate commercial activities, support service delivery and contribute to a more productive economy.

We remain grateful to the Federal Government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for its commitment to national infrastructure development, economic diversification and initiatives that promote sustainable growth.

Your Excellency, Vice-President, your presence at this ceremony is a great honour to the Government and people of Katsina State. It further demonstrates the importance of cooperation between the Federal Government and the States in advancing development and improving the welfare of our citizens.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the contractors, consultants, members of the State Executive Council, the State Legislature and all other stakeholders whose efforts have contributed to the implementation of these projects.

I also commend the people of Katsina State for their patience, cooperation and understanding throughout the construction and execution processes. Your support remains essential to the successful delivery and protection of public infrastructure.

Today's ceremony reflects the broader vision of our administration: to build infrastructure that responds to the needs of our people, strengthens our economy and creates opportunities for present and future generations.

We are developing roads to improve connectivity. We are introducing modern public transportation to enhance mobility. We are embracing emerging energy technologies to support efficiency and sustainability. Above all, we are investing in the economic and social wellbeing of our people.

As we commission these projects and launch these transportation services, I urge the relevant authorities to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained, efficiently managed and utilised for the benefit of the public. Infrastructure development must be matched by a strong commitment to maintenance, accountability and service delivery.

Our determination remains firm: to build a Katsina State where communities are better connected, businesses can thrive, citizens enjoy improved mobility and development opportunities are accessible across the State.

Once again, I warmly welcome His Excellency, the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, and all our distinguished guests to Katsina State. I thank you for your presence, support and continued partnership in our collective pursuit of sustainable development.

May Almighty Allah continue to guide our leaders, bless the Government and people of Katsina State, and grant the Federal Republic of Nigeria peace, unity and prosperity.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.