Niger governor says infrastructure development critical to attracting investors

Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar has explained that the development of infrastructure is critical to the regeneration of the state economy, as a way of attracting investors to the state.

The governor stated this on Monday at the commissioning of the 2.4km Broadcasting Road dual carriageway in Minna, Chanchaga Local Government Area of the state and a 7.5MVA injection substation at Paiko, in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.

He said since the inception of his administration in 2015, the provision of infrastructure has remained one of his priorities and reiterated the commitment of his government to continue to provide infrastructures that have direct bearing on the people as well as stimulate economic growth in the state.

“For us to attract investments into the state, we need to have good infrastructure system in place that guarantees access to the market and other factors of production,” he said.

The governor noted that his administration has constructed over 40 civil engineering projects, 80 mechanical/electrical projects, while 30 public buildings have been built across the state among other projects.

He reaffirmed that despite the daunting economic and security challenges, the state government will continue to provide dividends of democracy to the people.

“Let me assure Nigerlites, that this government will sustain the momentum of delivering projects that have a direct bearing on daily activities of the people”, he said.

According to the governor, most projects started from the beginning of this government in 2015 with most of them completed and already been put to use, while others are still ongoing.

Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bawa Wuse acknowledged that the project being commissioned has demonstrated that the governor is on track and appreciated the good working relationship existing between the executive and legislative arm of government in the state.

Earlier on, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Mamman Musa said the Broadcasting Dual Carriageway was constructed under the N25billion Sukuk private bond programme captured in 2019 and 2020 appropriation laws.

According to him, the project includes payments of compensation and relocation of utilities such as water mines and electricity installations.

“The scope of the project include; milling of existing bituminous surface, concrete works in the median, side drains, laterite in sub-base, crushed stone base and asphalt is concrete binder and finishing,” he remarked.

Musa said that the administration initiated 299 projects, with 165 already completed, explaining that Minna has 12 new roads already in use.