The Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has said that the Federal Government would support infrastructure development of Niger State as articulated by the State Government because of the state’s economic activities and its strategic North-South connectivity.
The Minister stated this when the Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers led by His Royal Highness, Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, the Etsu Nupe paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Speaking on the importance of Niger State to the nation, the Minister stated that amongst the nine areas of commitment of the Buhari led administration as announced during the recent Presidential Retreat in Abuja, fuel supply and power supply were strategic areas related to Niger State.
Continuing, he said that apart from the fact that the state is well known for its commerce, it also hosted one of the nation’s hydro power plants. “We cannot therefore achieve anything if we do not support the development of Niger State as articulated by the governor,” he stated.
Fashola stated that there are fifteen projects in Niger State inclusive of construction and rehabilitation of road and bridge projects pointing out that most of the roads that pass through the states are A1 roads.
He promised to expedite works on the projects adding: “We are mindful of the important role Niger State has to play in national development and Mr. President is determined to continue to invest in infrastructure development like roads and bridges across the country.”
Earlier, the Chairman, Niger State Council of Rulers and the Etsu Nupe,His Royal Highness, Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, CFR said that the purpose of their visit was to thank the Federal Government for on-going notable road projects in Niger State.
He said some of the projects, which included the award of the dualisation of Mokwa bypass when completed, would be a great achievement as it would relieve the people in Mokwa town from traffic hardship.
Speaking in the same vein, he said that the award of Bida Nupeko, Sachi, Patigi road when completed would be of a great relief to the Nupe kingdom in Niger and Kwara States.
While calling on the Federal Government to complete all the awarded projects in the state, the Monarch appealed to Federal Government to look into the dilapidated Lambata, Lapai, Agaie, Bida roads which are major links between the North Central, the South West Region and the country at large.
Boade Akinola
D (Press)
