Radda presents N828.6bn Katsina budget

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has presented a proposed N828.64 billion 2027 budget to the State House of Assembly, representing a N69.23 billion, or 7.71 per cent, reduction from the approved 2026 budget. Tagged 'Building Your Future IV,' the proposal allocates N637.91 billion, representing 76.98 per cent, to capital expenditure, while N190.73 billion, or 23.02 per cent, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure. Presenting the budget, Governor Radda said the reduction followed a realistic assessment of expected revenue and expenditure. He said the government had reviewed available funding sources to ensure fiscal balance and reduce the risk of revenue shortfalls. Radda added that the 2027 budget was shaped by the Citizens' Budget Exercise conducted across all 361 wards on July 18, 2026, with each ward expected to receive a special project selected by its residents. The governor said the exercise would also guide interventions in agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), women's empowerment, environment, climate change and security. According to the proposed budget, the social sector will receive N317.73 billion, representing 38.34 per cent; the economic sector, N303.17 billion, or 36.59 per cent; the administrative sector, N198.55 billion; while N9.19 billion is allocated to law and justice. Speaking on the 2026 budget performance as of August 28, Radda said total recurrent and capital expenditure stood at N295.19 billion, representing 32.88 per cent overall performance. He said recurrent revenue, including opening balance, stood at N267.47 billion, representing 44.16 per cent, while capital receipts reached N116.41 billion, representing 39.84 per cent. The governor also revealed that recurrent expenditure stood at N102.17 billion, representing 59.64 per cent, while capital expenditure was N193.02 billion, representing 26.57 per cent. Radda expressed confidence that budget implementation would improve significantly in the remaining months of 2026, adding that major infrastructure projects include the Katsina and Funtua urban renewal projects, Musawa-Gingin-Tabanni Road, Kunduru-Kadanya Road, Daura Western Bypass, housing projects and the supply of 30 hybrid buses. The governor acknowledged continuing challenges in security, education, healthcare, water, sanitation and infrastructure, saying the government would continue to address them through community-driven interventions. He commended the Katsina State House of Assembly for its partnership with the executive and expressed confidence that the lawmakers would consider and pass the 2027 Appropriation Bill in good time. In his address the speaker Katsina state house of Assembly Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, promised to ensure speedy deliberations as well as a speedy passage of the budget.