ASHENEWS reports that the Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago says that his administration will invest N1 trillion within the next two years to boost infrastructural development in the state.
Bago stated this on Tuesday when he declared open a two-day workshop for the upgrading of the Minna-Bida road.
According to the Governor, the state government was battling the challenges of insecurity which he said has crippled everyday life in some parts of the state.
Bago noted that the Niger state government will take advantage of its strategic location as a gateway between the northern and southern parts of the country and its arable land to turn around its economic fortunes.
Already, the Governor said that his administration has pledged to cultivate 25,000 square hectares of arable land across all parts of the state to boost agriculture.
“We are ambitious enough to cultivate one million hectares of land in the next four years. To complement this, Niger State will invest $3.5 million in aquamarine otherwise known as fisheries. This is in addition to employing three million Nigerlites in the agro-processing industry.”
The Governor, who restated his support for the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, assured that the state government will support the federal government in its quest for food security.
He also appealed to all development partners to use the state as a focal point for all pilot projects.
This online platform reports that the contract for the reconstruction of the Minna-Bida road project is estimated at $163 million.
The project, co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to the tune of $86.64m has the Abi Dhabi Fund providing $44.76 million while the Niger state government provides $31.6 million.
“The key resources of the project include reducing travel times between cities, reducing road maintenance cost, improved traffic flow, increased road safety and enhanced connectivity and socio-economic activities and facilities, and enhanced business and employment opportunities,” the Team Lead for the project, Mr. Alagi Basiru said.
