Niger earmarks N1tn for infrastructure in two years

The Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has said that his government will invest N1 trillion in infrastructural development in the state in the next two years.

Bago said the state’s infrastructure will be of immense benefit to the state and the country as a whole as Niger is a gateway connecting the Northern and Southern parts of the country.

The governor made the disclosure on Tuesday while declaring open a startup workshop on the Minna-Bida road project co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, at the Government House, Minna.

Bago who appreciated the IsDB and ADFD for agreeing to co-finance the Minna-Bida road project, 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.

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He decried the infrastructure deficit and insecurity bedevilling the State despite all the potential and called on development partners to support the state in the areas of security, health, education, and agriculture, adding that counterpart funds are available

He directed his Commissioner for Communication Technology and Digital Economy, Suleiman Isah, to engage telecommunication companies on Corporate Social Responsibility, which he said, “would improve online education in the state”.

The Team leader of the project, Alagi Basiru Gaye disclosed that $163 million has been earmarked for the project out of which the IsDB will provide $86.64 million, $44.76 million from the ADFD while the Niger State Government is to provide $31.6 million.

He explained that the startup workshop was important for the effective implementation of the project and would enhance the capacities of executing agencies and project management units among others.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works Hassan Baba Etsu, assured the IsDB and ADFD of an enabling environment for effective monitoring of the project saying the Ministry would ensure that specifications and the terms of the contract were strictly adhered to.