Niger Gives 274 Wards N822m Monthly For Community Based Projects

Niger State government is set to disburse N3 million to each of the 274 wards across the 25 local government areas in the state monthly.

LEADERSHIP reports that the project tagged, “Ward Development Projects,” was first introduced during the administration of former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu in the state but was discontinued by the preceding administration.

It was gathered that the immediate past administration discontinued the project owing to some issues surrounding the implementation of the projects.

Consequently, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago decided to reintroduce the programme to give each of the wards leverage to initiate community-based projects by setting up a committee to sensitize the people.

The State Ward Development Project Steering Committee, headed by the commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Phallalu Bako Mohammed, began the tour of the eight Emirates yesterday to sensitise the people.

The chairman of the committee Bako Mohammed reiterated that Governor Umaru Bago’s commitment to reviving the Ward Development Project was based on the desire to use the project as a vehicle for delivering tangible development to communities across all the 274 wards.

He disclosed that “each of the ward will receive a sum of N3 Million to implement locally driven projects identified by community leaders and residents, We are here to sensitize our royal fathers and community leaders on the state government’s renewed focus on ward-level development.

“This project is designed to empower communities for them to take ownership of their development priorities.”

He added that both the Ward and Local Government Development Committees which will include representatives from traditional, religious, political, and civil society groups would ensure transparency and inclusiveness, as well as establish a framework for proper management of funds and ensure supervision of the projects execution.