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Olabode Adaramola
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to accelerated rural development despite the economic challenges faced by the state.
He gave the assurance while embarking on mid-term project assessment tour to Bangi, the headquarters of Mariga local government of the state.
The Governor who stated that though the state and the nation as a whole are presently experiencing economic hardship, but emphasized the need for the people especially at the grass roots level to be carried along and have a sense of belonging through rural development.
He assured rural dwellers in the state of efforts being made by his
government to transform rural communities through a well thought out programmes and projects.
“Despite the current economic situation, we are committed to rural
development. This , we will do by ensuring even distribution of
infrastructure, school renovation, road construction, provision of portable water and reconstruction of dams to boost irrigation farming,” the governor assured the people.
He thereby commended the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Kabiru Abbas and the Chairman of the local government council, Barr. Abdulmalik Sariki Daji for their efforts in bringing development to the grass root by digging 106 boreholes and empowering 450 women and youths in various skills acquisition programmes.
Earlier, in an interactive session with the people of the council at
Bangi, Community spokesman, Hon. Usman Musa, a former member representing the area in the state House of Assembly, appealed to the state governor to assist the local government overcome the various challenges confronting it.
Musa said state government’s intervention will be required in the
completion of some abandoned road projects to open up the area and enable them transport their agricultural produce to other parts of the state.
The former legislator also appealed to the governor to construct irrigation dams to enhance dry season farming among others.
Also in his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural
Development , Alhaji Kabiru Abass who is also a stakeholder in the area
reiterated the call for speedy electrification of the area, pointing out
that its only one of the eleven wards of the local government that
presently enjoy electricity.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview, the council Chairman, Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji disclosed that the local government under his stewardship has been able to drill over 100 boreholes across the council areas to help cushion the water challenges faced by the people.
He disclosed further that about 500 youths and women have been empowered in a joint initiative with the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development to address unemployment among youths in the area.
Other highlights of the visit was the symbolic presentation of seed capital by governor Abubakar Sani Bello to some of the beneficiaries of youth and women empowerment scheme jointly initiated by the Commissioner for Agriculture and the council chairman.
