Katsina CSOs Criticize Housing Scheme Selection in Radda and Kankia

The Katsina Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has raised concerns over the Katsina State government's choice of Radda and Kankia to construct 3,750 housing units, labeling the decision as potentially wasteful and unjustified. The CSOs Chairman, Abdulrahman Abdullahi, highlighted in an exclusive interview the lack of clear reasons behind concentrating such a massive investment in these two communities.

The project, part of the N155 billion memorandum of understanding with Cosmo Residential City Nigeria Limited, has sparked controversy due to the perceived ties between Radda and Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, as well as questions about the rationale for allocating 1,250 houses to Radda and 2,500 to Kankia. Critics argue that the project's focus on these two communities neglects the broader impact across the state's 34 local government areas.

The CSOs urge the government to reconsider its approach to avoid repeating past housing scheme failures. Alhaji Falalu Bawal, the State Head of Service, defended the project's funding model, emphasizing private financing and the integration of housing development with agricultural training and stipend payments for participants.