As the Niger State government unveils a 20-year development action plan for Bida, Etsu Nupe has allayed the people’s fear that the collection of their lands is arbitrary.
Niger State governor Mohammed Umaru Bago officially unveiled the New Bida Development plan at the weekend as part of his ongoing urban renewal efforts. The plan is a short-term 20-year development plan.
The governor unveiled the plan during a town hall meeting and stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Ministry of Lands and Survey in collaboration with the New Niger Development Project. He said the 20-year New Bida development plan was a short-term plan that would engender rapid development and boost socio-economic activities in the town.
He said that the 44-km dual carriageway Ring Road was aimed at diverting traffic and enabling a new city to spring up in the area through the provision of social amenities and a 100-megawatt solar farm.
Considering that the state government would collect the lands of the people without due process, the governor assured that their lands would not be collected arbitrarily, as owners of any property that would be affected by the project would be duly compensated.
Similarly, the Etsu Nupe and chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar called on the people to cooperate with the state government in its effort to develop Bida town, and allayed the fear of collecting their lands without due process.
He said the development plan for Bida would be immensely beneficial to the future of the ancient city, and that they should not be sceptical about supporting it.
