The Katsina State Government says a 3,750-unit housing project combined with aquaculture initiatives in Kankia and Radda towns will be financed by COSMOS Residential City Nigeria Limited.
The project is set to be executed through a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) arrangement, the State Head of Civil Service (HoS) and Chairman of the Implementation Committee, Falalu Bawale, disclosed at a press briefing on Friday in Katsina.
“A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between the State Government and the company. Katsina State will only provide land for the project. It is not a contract and will not cost the government any money. Our committee has been mandated to select beneficiaries across the state’s 34 Local Government Areas,” he said.
The Managing Director of COSMOS Residential City, Mr Murtala Sani, revealed that the project was conceived as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Housing Estate agenda, noting the company’s expertise in aquaculture.
“It is a system whereby the company will Build, Operate, and Transfer, and beneficiaries will not have to spend any money. The project will be implemented in partnership with Spire USA Incorporation, a COSMOS subsidiary.
“We only require a secure environment to operate, ensuring continuity in case of a government change. We will also rehabilitate Kankia Dam, which is not included in the estimated cost.
“We intend to invest about $97 million (approximately N155 billion) for the entire package. Kankia will host 2,500 housing units, while Radda will have 1,250 units, totaling 3,750 houses,” he said.
Sani added that the project would integrate modern housing with backyard fish farming and vegetable gardens, creating sustainable livelihoods for beneficiaries while boosting local and export-oriented food production.
Beneficiaries will include unemployed youths and low-income households, including those without formal education but with practical farming or vocational skills, he explained.
Also speaking, Mr Adamu Yau said the project was forwarded to President Tinubu by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, who recommended Katsina for the North-West. Kankia and Radda were subsequently approved for the state.
“Kankia’s proximity to Kano and Katsina airports ensures that produce can be easily transported for export,” he said.
Yau added that the project will transform lives, curb rural-urban migration, and provide employment opportunities. Experts from Australia, Canada, the USA, and Spain will participate, training 500 local workers directly, while some 5,000 adults will be engaged overall.
He noted that beneficiaries are expected to earn N200,000 monthly, with N70,000 set aside as a compulsory savings exit package.
