The Katsina State Government has disbursed a total of N3,173,933,922 as compensation to individuals affected by land acquisitions for various development projects across the state.
In addition, Governor Dikko Radda’s administration has so far invested N859,505,690 in establishing the Katsina State Geographic Information Service, providing all necessary equipment and facilities for its operation.
This administration has paid compensation totalling N3,173,933,922 to people affected by land takeovers to facilitate projects including road construction, the building and expansion of schools, hospitals, markets, and other infrastructure,” said the Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe, during the 5th edition of the monthly press briefing held on Tuesday in Katsina.
He added that N2 billion has been budgeted in 2025 for compensation related to ongoing projects.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to land reform, the Deputy Governor noted, “The government’s huge investment in KATGIS also includes the development of proprietary software and the procurement of hardware.
We have also secured highly protected documents from the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company for the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O).”
Jobe stressed the importance of the digital shift in land administration, saying,
The establishment of KATGIS is necessary to move away from the tedious manual process of land registration and documentation, which is prone to manipulation and fraud, to a transparent and efficient, technology-driven system that reduces conflict between landowners and enhances revenue generation.
On development control, the Deputy Governor revealed that the government had spent N725 million to procure heavy machinery and logistics, including payloaders, excavators, load-bed trucks, tippers, Hilux vehicles, and motorbikes.
These resources are intended to monitor and ensure compliance with building regulations across the state.
He noted that rapid population growth presents significant challenges that require early intervention to ensure sustainable urban development.
The government has made substantial investments in preparation for the expected expansion of our cities.
This includes the modernisation of land administration systems, preparation of city master plans, and the acquisition of heavy-duty equipment to support development control,” he said.
To restore master planning as a standard for urban development, the state has spent N315,375,000 on reviewing the master plans of Katsina, Funtua, and Daura for the period 2025–2040.
These master plans, along with four others—Dutsin-Ma, Malumfashi, Mani, and Kankiya—were originally prepared by British firm Max Lock in the early 1970s and became obsolete 25 years ago.
The government has finalised arrangements to begin the review of the remaining four this year, and further plans are in place to prepare master plans for other cities from 2026 onward,” Jobe added.
The monthly press briefing, which began in November 2024, is part of the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public engagement in developmental initiatives.
