The Nigerian Navy has commissioned a series of community development projects in Kerau Quarters, Katsina State, as part of its Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Projects initiative.
The projects, inaugurated on Thursday, were executed in honour of Rear Admiral Yakubu Dahiru, a native of the community. They include an 80,000-litre solar-powered industrial borehole, solar-powered streetlights, and the renovation of a local community school.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda described the intervention as a significant contribution to the well-being of residents. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Abdulkadir Mamman-Nasir, the governor said the projects would improve access to clean water, strengthen community security through better lighting, and provide pupils with a more conducive learning environment.
Radda applauded the Chief of Naval Staff for extending the intervention to the state and commended Rear Admiral Dahiru for facilitating the projects in his hometown.
The governor noted that expanding access to safe drinking water remains one of the priorities of his administration. According to him, the state government has continued to invest in the rehabilitation of water treatment facilities, pumping stations, transmission networks, and distribution pipelines, while ensuring the availability of fuel and essential treatment chemicals to improve water supply across Katsina.
He urged members of the community to safeguard the newly completed facilities from vandalism so they could continue serving residents for many years.
Representing the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Rear Admiral Aminu Abdullahi, Director of Ships Spares, said the Special Intervention Quick Impact Projects programme was introduced in 2024 to deepen civil-military relations and complement the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that the initiative reflects the Nigerian Navy’s commitment not only to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity but also to supporting community development and improving the quality of life of citizens.
Abdullahi praised Rear Admiral Dahiru for successfully overseeing the execution of the projects and encouraged residents to maintain the facilities responsibly.
Rear Admiral Dahiru described the intervention as a lasting investment aimed at improving living conditions in Kerau and other parts of Katsina State. He said the projects would provide reliable access to potable water, improve security through enhanced lighting, and create a better educational environment for children.
He also disclosed that military medical personnel from Kano and Katsina were providing free healthcare services in the community, including medical consultations, treatment, medications, and health education for residents.
Dahiru appealed to the people to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible information that would assist ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
He expressed appreciation to the Chief of Naval Staff, the Katsina State Government, traditional institutions, community leaders, security agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders whose contributions made the projects possible, while calling on residents to preserve the facilities for future generations.
