President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, unveiled a number of multi-billion Naira projects executed by the Katsina State government under Governor Aminu Bello Masari in the last seven-and-half-years.
The projects included two of the three multi-billion naira underpass bridges located at Kofar Kaura and Kofar Kwaya areas, remodeled Katsina General Hospital, new Katsina Revenue House, rehabilitated Katsina Water Supply Booster Station, Katsina Metrological Institute of Nigeria as well as the Darma Rice Mill.
While at the Kofar Kaura underpass bridge, Buhari, who was accompanied by the governor, was welcomed and briefed by the SCommissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Tasi’u Dahiru Dandagoro.
Dandagoro said the Kofar Kaura underpass bridge is one of the three interchange road projects embarked upon by the State government, at the cost of N10.1 billion.
He explained that the projects are out to decongest the State and facilitate the movement of goods and services as well as eliminate unnecessary traffic experienced by road users in addition to boosting socio-economic activities.
While at the Dental and Ear, Nose and Throat department of the remodeled Katsina General Hospital, the president was informed by the Commissioner of Health, Engineer Yakubu Nuhu Danja, that the hospital has been existing since 1907, adding that it has the capacity to admit an average of 600 patients daily.
He added that the hospital which has been upgraded to a high standard also has functional 358 beds and treats tertiary, secondary, and primary health issues.
President Buhari is also expected to unveil other projects on Friday, including the remodeled General Hospital, Musawa, GDSS Musawa, Gora-Makauraci-Mallamawa Road, rehabilitated and asphalted Sandamu-Baure-Babban Mutum Road as well as Gurjiya-Sandamu-Karkarku Road among other engagements before returning to Abuja.
Meanwhile, angry youths staged a protest as Buhari was visiting the State.
Moments after Buhari unveiled the bridge underpass, the youths, including hoodlums and students of public schools in the State, stormed the site of the project with stones and cudgels.
In the uproar that lasted about 30 minutes, the protesters threw objects at the project and chanted in Hausa language: “We are not interested!”
The timely arrival of police operatives returned normalcy to the area.
The president is expected to unveil more projects before returning to Abuja on Friday.