Youths protest as Buhari commissions projects in Katsina

As President Muhammadu Buhari commissions five multi-billion naira projects constructed or restructured by Governor Aminu Masari administration in Katsina State, youths rose up in protest against insecurity and economic woes.

Buhari also commissioned a Federal Government project6 and a privately-owned Darma Rice Mill. The state government projects include: two underpass bridges at Kofar Kaura and Kofar Kwaya areas, remodelled Katsina General Hospital, new Katsina Revenue Board House, the rehabilitated Katsina Water Supply Booster Station and Metrological Institute of Nigeria.

Shortly before Buhari commissioned the Kofar Kaura underpass, the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Tasi’u Dandogoro, said the N10 billion bridge was one of the three the Masari government embarked upon. 

Dandogoro said the underpass would help ease traffic flow, especially during festive periods when people troop into the state from other parts of the country. However, some youths staged a protest shortly after Buhari commissioned the underpass and left to commission another.

The youths, who set bonfires on the road, also pelted security operatives and residents that gathered to witness the event. Several of them were chanting slogans like “Bamaso” and “Bamuyi” (loosely translated as ‘We don’t want you’ and ‘We are not participating’).

Some of the protesters lamented economic woes and security challenges faced by their communities, especially frontline areas affected by terrorism. 

The protesters were, however, dispersed after security operatives threw several teargas canisters at them. 

The privately-owned Darma Rice Mill, located outskirts of the metropolitan area, according to sources, is aimed at boosting local rice production as well as creating job opportunities for youths in the state. 

Buhari is also expected to commission some other state government projects today.