Katsina State Executive Council has approved a N828.64 billion budget proposal for the 2027 financial year, alongside major projects in healthcare, road infrastructure and public transportation.
The budget proposal, tagged “Building Your Future Agenda IV,” was approved at the council’s 14th regular meeting for 2026, held on Thursday at the Upper Chamber of the General Muhammadu Buhari House, Government House, Katsina, and presided over by Governor Dikko Radda.
A statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, said the approvals were aimed at accelerating development, strengthening public services and improving the well-being of residents across the state.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu Zango, said the council’s decisions reflected the administration’s commitment to delivering development-oriented programs.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Malik Anas, said the proposed 2027 budget stood at N828,638,844,091.48, representing a reduction of N69.23 billion from the N897.87 billion approved for 2026.
He explained that the proposal would be financed through internally generated revenue of N95.77 billion, capital receipts of N234.30 billion and other expected receipts of N487.81 billion.
The state is also projecting an opening balance of about N10.7 billion for the 2027 fiscal year.
Anas said 23 per cent of the proposed budget was allocated to recurrent expenditure, while 77 per cent was earmarked for capital expenditure, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on infrastructure and development projects.
According to him, the sectoral allocation comprises 23.97 per cent for the Administration Sector, 35.59 per cent for the Economic Sector, 1.11 per cent for Law and Justice, and 38.33 per cent for the Social Sector.
The Commissioner said priority areas under the capital expenditure plan include Education, 13.41 per cent; Works, Housing and Transport, 11.22 per cent; Agriculture and Livestock Development, 10.33 per cent; Health, 8.41 per cent; and Rural Development, 7.92 per cent.
He said the remaining Ministries, Departments and Agencies collectively account for 48.98 per cent of the capital allocation.
Anas added that full details of the proposal would be made public when Governor Radda formally presents it to the Katsina State House of Assembly.
The council also approved the transmission of the 2027 budget proposal to the House of Assembly in accordance with Section 121 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
On healthcare, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Lawal Aliyu Rabe, said the council approved the procurement of additional equipment for the new Advanced Imaging and Cancer Centre at the General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital (GARSH), Katsina.
He said the equipment would expand the centre’s capacity to provide modern medical, surgical, imaging, diagnostic and laboratory services, with the facility expected to accommodate at least 80 patients.
According to him, the project is designed to strengthen access to specialised healthcare in the state and reduce the need for residents to seek treatment abroad.
He said the initiative was also expected to reduce medical tourism and improve the quality of specialised healthcare available to residents.
On infrastructure, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, QS Umar Ismail Rugoji, said the council approved the construction of an asphaltic wearing-course road at Rafukka within the Katsina metropolis.
He said the road had deteriorated due to erosion, poor surface conditions, and inadequate asphaltic pavement, adding that its rehabilitation would improve connectivity and ease transportation in the area.
Rugoji also disclosed that the council approved measures for the effective deployment and management of the 30 hybrid buses recently procured by the Radda administration for intra-city shuttle services.
He said a consultant would be engaged to work with the Katsina State Transport Authority (KTSTA) on the management and operation of the buses.
The council also approved the establishment of a dedicated Hybrid Bus Operations and Maintenance Unit within KTSTA to oversee the buses, charging facilities, maintenance and related operational infrastructure.
Rugoji said the plan included the recruitment and training of qualified drivers and administrative personnel, with a target of having at least one qualified driver from each of the state’s 34 local government areas.
The council further approved the installation of dedicated transformer substations at the three operational facilities in Katsina, Daura and Funtua.
According to Rugoji, the substations would support the existing solar inverter systems and provide reliable electricity for charging and workshop facilities.
He added that the council approved digital fleet monitoring, revenue management, preventive maintenance and operational control systems ahead of the commencement of full-scale operations.
The projects, he said, form part of the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen critical infrastructure, improve healthcare delivery and modernise public transportation across Katsina State.
