***To gulp N1Trillion in four years
The Niger State Governor, Rt. Hon. Umaru Mohammed Bago has flagged off the construction of 1,500 kilometers of roads across the state with the ground breaking of 202 kilometers of roads in Minna, the state capital.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, the governor said his administration will spend N1Trillion in the next four years on roads construction across the 25 local government areas of the state.
Governor Bago disclosed that the road projects are part of his urban renewal programme, stressing that apart from the four major towns of Kontagora, Bida, Minna and Suleja, the remaining local government areas will get five kilometers of road each.
He also said his administration will take some deliberate steps towards fixing some federal roads in the state that in deplorable condition, adding that there are good number of Federal roads spread across the state and that his administration will not hesitate to fix them.
The Governor urged the youths in the state to take advantage of the massive road projects soon to commence to gainfully engage themselves as all the materials and human resources will be sourced locally by the contractors.
He added that the state government through the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises will empower those that will trade around the construction sites, stressing that every segments of the society will benefit from the road projects.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Suleiman Umar disclosed that the project which has a total of 202.4Km consisting of 22 different roads and categorized in two phases with phase one covering eight roads while phase two will cover 14 roads.
He said it is in addition to five interchanges and flyovers at strategic locations and new bypass roads that will open up the State Capital.
While describing the project as one of the most ambitious urban development projects in the history of the State, the Commissioner reiterated that the Ministry will ensure strict monitoring and supervision to ensure timely completion of the projects.
The Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Barr. Abdulmalik Muhammed commended the Governor for his unwavering determination to bringing the needed transformation in the state and promised the continuous cooperation and support of the legislative arm for the benefit of all in the state.
The Managing Director, of China Civil Engineering Corporation (CCECC), Mr. David Wang while commending the resilience of Governor Umaru Bago, described him as an ambitious man who is focused on changing the face of Niger State through massive infrastructural development.
Mr Wang promised to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and ensure harmonious relationships with the locals for timely and qualitative projects.
Earlier, the Emir of Minna, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago, commended the governor for his giant strides, especially in the urban renewal policy of his administration as he pledged continued support of the Minna emirate in particular and the entire Traditional Institution in the state for his policies.
