Gov.Radda Lauds KSTA As Agency Acquires 14 New Buses
Gov.Radda Lauds KSTA As Agency Acquires 14 New Buses
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has commended Katsina State Transport Authority (KSTA) for transforming the state’s public transport system in line with his administration’s vision.
A statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,said
Radda made the commendation on Thursday after receiving 14 brand-new Toyota Hiace 18-seater buses, all procured by the agency through its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Mohammed quoted the Managing Director of KSTA, Haruna Musa Rugoji, as saying that the governor set the foundation for the authority’s progress.
Rugoji recalled that on assumption of office, Governor Radda supplied 40 new buses, a move that boosted the agency’s capacity and revenue generation.
Backed by this improved IGR, he said,the agency had now purchased 33 additional buses in two years—seven in December 2023, twelve in November 2024, and fourteen in the latest delivery.
“These milestones were only possible because His Excellency created the right environment and provided clear guidance. The governor’s policies and timely support continue to drive our growth,” the managing director said.
He further disclosed that KSTA is constructing a mega permanent transport terminal at Dandagoro in two phases; Phase One: ₦724 million; Phase Two: ₦1.9 billion.
He said that ₦519 million had already been paid for Phase One, leaving ₦205 million outstanding.
Rugoji said that the Governor had also approved ₦1 billion as intervention support for Phase Two, while directing the authority to complete the remaining ₦900 million from its IGR.
He noted that KSTA had upgraded several facilities, including new substations in Tamashi and Ingawa, full renovation of the Dutsinma station, and improvements at the Daura substation.
In a major innovation, the authority has successfully converted some of its buses from fossil fuel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The conversion was carried out by KSTA engineers trained at the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria.
“The state government has also allocated land for Greenville and other gas investors, showing our long-term commitment to cleaner, gas-powered transportation,” the MD said.
He added that 20 staff members are currently enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to build stronger technical and administrative capacity within the agency.
Responding, Governor Radda thanked the KSTA management for their dedication.
“This is fully in line with our mandate to provide affordable, efficient, and sustainable transportation for the people of Katsina,” the governor said.
He urged the authority to sustain the progress and continue exploring new ways to improve public mobility across the state.
