Katsina State Acting Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in combating the illicit drug trade, which he described as a major contributor to the state’s security challenges.
Malam Jobe made this appeal during a townhall meeting with the Personal Assistant to the President on Constituency Affairs Alhaja Khadija Omotayo Kareem and key stakeholders in the state, including traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and political representatives.
The meeting, organized by the Office of the Personal Assistant to the President on Constituency Affairs, aimed to gather feedback on pressing issues affecting the state, a statement on Wednesday from the Media Directorate, Katsina State Government House, said
According to the Acting Governor, the influx of illicit drugs has exacerbated the state’s security situation. “We urgently require a comprehensive strategy from the federal government to address this menace,” Jobe pleaded.
Furthermore, the acting governor drew attention to the need for accelerated development in the state, stressing the importance of completing ongoing federal projects such as the Kano-Katsina federal highway and the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line.
He also called for the dredging of earth dams and the revitalization of social intervention programs to boost the state’s economy.
The state government, according to Malam Jobe, is already taking steps to address security challenges through both proactive and reactive measures.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr. Faisal Umar Kaita, identified about seventy-four abandoned and ongoing federal government projects in the state.
He specifically drew attention to the Katsina-Kano road, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, and the expansion of Umaru Yar’adua International Airport as priority concerns.
Dr. Faisal Umar Kaita attributed the delay in the Katsina-Kano road project to the federal government’s failure to disburse compensation to affected landowners.
In contrast, he noted that the state government has already fulfilled its obligation by compensating land owners for the expansion of Umaru Yar’adua International Airport after acquiring the necessary land.
However, the project is currently on hold pending the federal government’s final approval for the remaining land required for the expansion.
Responding, the Personal Assistant to the President on Constituency Affairs, Alhaja Khadija Omotayo Kareem, assured the gathering that the issues raised would be presented to the president for prompt action.
She emphasized the federal government’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the nation.
