Niger State Government is set to invest N1 trillion in infrastructure development in the state in the next two years.
Gov. Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State said this when he declared open a startup workshop on the Minna-Bida road project co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), at the Government House, Minna on Tuesday.
Bago, who described Niger as a gateway connecting the Northern and Southern parts of the country, maintained that developing the state’s infrastructure would be of immense benefit to the state and the country as a whole.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim and made available to newsmen in Minna
The governor expressed appreciation to the IsDB and ADFD for agreeing to co-finance the Minna-Bida road project.
Bago highlighted the huge 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 said.
He, however expressed concern that in spite of all the potentials, the state was bedevilled by insecurity and infrastructure deficits.
The governor, therefore, called on 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,” he said
The governor added that counterpart funds were available.
Bago also 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, Mr 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 said.
He acknowledged the efforts of the state government towards the success of the project.
Gaye explained the startup workshop was 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.
Also representative from the Ministry of Finance, Dahiru Idris, described the Minna-Bida project as 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 added that the project was a significant milestone in the development of the State.
