.Pledges to prioritise water, health, housing sectors
In a bid to boost food production in the polity, Governor Umaru Bago has said that the citizenry are free to cultivate on government-owned lands in Niger State.
Bago spoke last Friday while inspecting government lands along Mokwa road, which were either uncultivated or abandoned.
The governor said his administration was committed to executing its food security agenda with determination.
He outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at maximising the agricultural potential of the North-central state, saying all government-owned lands must be utilised for farming.
He said people farming on government lands would not face eviction but would instead receive additional support.
“The government will provide seedlings and fertilizers for free. The condition for implementing all of the above is that the government will buy all the farm produce from the farmers (buyback policy). Niger is getting ready to feed the nation.”
Meanwhile, the governor hinted that his administration was poised to prioritise water, health and housing sectors; all geared towards improving the livelihoods of the citizenry.
He made the promise while performing the groundbreaking ceremony of five-kilometre township roads in Gbako Local Council of the state.
The governor noted that his administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure that all highways across the state are expanded to reduce travel time as well as ease movement of goods.
He maintained that the numerous road projects embarked upon across the state, if completed, would complement the agricultural revolution of the state government.
The chairman of Gbako Local Council, Alh. Alhassan Batagi, lauded the governor for his New Niger Initiative and appreciated him for extending his infrastructural projects to rural areas to promote the growth and development of rural areas.
The contractor in charge of the five kilometre Lemu township road assured the state government of a timely completion of the project in accordance with stipulated standards.
