THREE YEARS ON: From Initial Scepticism Of The New Niger Agenda To Realistic Possibility

BY BOLOGI IBRAHIM,

Chief Press Secretary to the Farmer Governor, Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, is elated by the positive change in perceptions about the execution and actualisation of the New Niger Agenda of his administration.

He said he was particularly happy that the ambitious New Niger Agenda (NNA), which was initially greeted with scepticism and cynicism, is turning into a realistic possibility.

In a statement on his third year anniversary in office and issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Bologi Ibrahim, the Farmer Governor noted that the overall idea, vision, and approach behind the NNA is to address the intractable socioeconomic challenges that have remained impediments to the growth and development of the state for decades.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago disclosed that the last three years witnessed an aggressive, rapid transformation of the state through targeted initiatives across critical sectors, including health, agriculture, infrastructure, youth and women empowerment, employment and job creation, as well as education and security.

He explained that the decision to prioritise some key sectors was deliberate to ensure that the available state resources directly impact the daily lives of all the citizens in the state.

“We started with the massive, heavy infrastructural development across the state. Through our Urban/Rural Renewal Policy, we have embarked on many road projects to facilitate easy movement of people, goods, and services, thereby boosting socioeconomic activities in the state”, he stated.

Governor Bago said his administration is presently constructing over 1,000 km of roads across the state, including more than 400 km that are Federal Government roads.

“Today, every local government area is witnessing infrastructural improvements, with at least 5 kilometers of road construction ongoing in each, an achievement that is first in the history of the state”, he added.

The Farmer Governor disclosed that many of the road projects have been completed, while some are nearing completion. Some of those completed include the Gado Nasko Street at Zarumai Estate in Minna.
Type B Quarters: Abu Kuta Street, Jos Street, Daura Street, Kazaure Street, Ilorin Street, Zaria, and Suleja Streets, respectively, as well as London Street.
Bosso Low-Cost Housing Area: AB Gaming Road, Spring Drive, Dutse Avenue, MTP 90 Blue and Red Street, Etsu Yusuf Yahaya Road, Gaming Link, Dije Bala Street, Goodie Special Road A & B, as well as Dahiru Bauchi Road.
At F-Layout, we have Alhaji Dantani Street, Nmakolo/Abubakar Ibrahim Streets.
Old Airport Quarters: Jiya Vatsa Road and Col. Sani Bello Road.
Kutiriko Area: all the roads within the Kutiriko area, opposite Kure Market—Fadikpe Road and Fadikpe Yakpping.
At Government Reserved Area (GRA): the Office of the Special Advisers Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, Aliyu Makama Road, Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road, Dr. Mustapha Abdulsalam Road, James Gara/Deputy Governor’s Road, Standard Hospital Road, and the new Nigerian Custodial Centre Road, among many others, have been completed.

He stated that the Minna-Bida Road, the 44 km Bida Ring Road, the 93 km Rofia-Agwara Road, the 90 km Kontagora-Rijau Road, the Mokwa and Lapai projects, the 41 km Chanchaga-Jazu Road expansion and dualization, as well as the three overhead bridges and one underpass in Minna, are all at advanced stages of completion.
“We acknowledged the challenges being encountered by Nigerlites as a result of the ongoing construction works across the state. We are aware of such concerns, but be rest assured that the difficulties will gradually become history as we transition towards sustainable development and improved living standards.”
While appealing to all Nigerlites to remain supportive of his administration, the Farmer Governor also called for patience as the work of rebuilding and transforming the state continues.