Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru-Bago has announced plans by his government to invest N1 trillion on infrastructure development in the next two years.
Speaking at the opening of a startup workshop on the Minna-Bida road project, co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), in Minna, Governor Bago said that developing the state’s infrastructure would be of immense benefit to the state and the country.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, in a statement today, September 13, said that the governor expressed appreciation to the IsDB and ADFD for agreeing to co-finance the Minna-Bida road project.
Governor Bago highlighted the potentials in the state, ranging from its size; to the presence of four hydro dams.
“And eight national to international borders among others, which are selling points that will attract investors into the state.”
He however expressed concern that in spite of all the potentials, the state is bedevilled by insecurity and infrastructure deficits and pleaded with the development partners to support the state in the areas of security, health, education, and agriculture, “so that the state can attain an enviable height of development.”
The governor said that counterpart funds are available, even as he directed Commissioner for Communication Technology and Digital Economy, Suleiman Isah, to engage telecommunication companies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), that would improve online education in the state.
The team leader, Alagi Gaye, disclosed that $163 million has been earmarked for the project.
“Out of this, the Islamic Development Bank will provide $86.64 million, $44.76 million from the Abu Dhabi Development Fund while the Niger State Government is to provide $31.6 million.”
He acknowledged the efforts of the state government towards the success of the project.
Gaye explained the startup workshop is important for the effective implementation of the project and to enhance the capacities of executing agencies and project management units, among others.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works Alhaji Hassan Baba Etsu, commended the governor for his commitment to ensuring the continuation of the Minna-Bida road project as well as prompt payment of counterpart funds for development partners in the state.
He assured the IsDB and ADFD of an enabling environment for effective monitoring of the project.
“The Ministry will ensure that specifications and the terms of the contract are strictly adhered to,” he said.
Representative from the Ministry of Finance, Dahiru Idris, said that the Minna-Bida project is significant to both the state and the country.
He assured that all necessary steps would be taken to work in synergy with all development partners, to ensure that the project becomes a reality.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, said that the workshop would serve as an opportunity for participants to come together to understand how best to execute the Minna-Bida road project efficiently and effectively.
He said that the project was a significant milestone in the development of the State.
Source: NAN.
