Minna-Bida road reconstruction
Niger State Government is to invest N1 trillion in infrastructural development in the next two years, says Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
Gov Umaru Bago, disclosed 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, the state capital.
The governor who described Niger State as a gateway, connecting the Northern and Southern parts of the country, maintained that developing the state’s infrastructure will be of immense benefit to the state and the country as a whole.
He appreciated the IsDB and ADFD for agreeing to co-finance the Minna-Bida road project.
The governor highlighted the huge potential in the state ranging from its size; to the presence of four hydro dams; and eight national to international borders among others which he said are selling points that would attract investors into the state.
He, however, expressed concern that despite all the potentials, the state is bedeviled by insecurity and infrastructural 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 adding that counterpart funds are available.
He also directed his Commissioner for Communication Technology and Digital Economy, Suleiman Isah to engage Telecommunication companies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which would improve online education in the state.
The Team leader, Alagi Basiru Gaye, disclosed that 163 Million U.S Dollars has been earmarked for the project out of which the Islamic Development Bank will provide 86.64 Million U.S Dollars, 44.76 Million from the Abu Dhabi Development Fund while the Niger State Government is to provide 31.6 Million U.S Dollars.
While acknowledging the efforts of the state government towards the success of the project, Basiru Gaye explained the startup workshop is important for the effective implementation of the project and enhances the capacities of executing agencies and project management units among others.
Also speaking, 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 to development partners in the state.
He assured the IsDB and ADFD of an enabling environment for effective monitoring of the project and that the Ministry would ensure that specifications and the terms of the contract are strictly adhered to.
Representative from the Ministry of Finance, Dahiru Barde Idris described the Minna-Bida project as significant to both the state and the country while assuring that all necessary steps will be taken to work in synergy with all development partners to ensure that the project becomes a reality.
In his opening remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaj. Abubakar Usman, said that the workshop will serve as an opportunity for participants to come together to understand how best to execute the Minna-Bida road project efficiently and effectively, adding that the project is a significant milestone in the development of the State.
