Gov. Sani Bello reiterates his commitment to improving the socio-economic life of rural residents

The government of Niger State has reiterated its commitment to improve the socio-economic life of the people by providing basic services.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello stated this when inaugurating 55.33 km Kutigi-Dasun-Tashan Hajiya and 11 km Wuya Kantin-Etsu Tasha roads under the second phase of Rural Access and Mobility Projects (RAMP II) in the local government area Lavun of the state.

He said the 66.32 km of roads that had been put into service were part of the 235 km earmarked for a double layer of surface treatment of 700 km of roads repaired by RAMP II.

“We want to begin double-layer paving of some of these roads previously restored by RAMP II in the state, totaling more than 700 km. This is to support our efforts to make the projects more sustainable for a better life for the rural communities across the state,” he said.

The governor added that his administration is committed to expanding and connecting different rural communities with access to essential services to improve the lives of rural residents and accelerate their activities.

He said the aim of the government was to ensure that people in rural areas, who are predominantly farmers, get the best out of their potential and have easy access to markets.

According to him, the government will continue to pay its counterpart funds for all donor-funded projects in the state for the socio-economic development of the state.

He called on the people to ensure that the roads were well maintained to their benefit and advised them not to allow heavy vehicles to travel on the roads.

Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Yusuf Muhammad Gunu said that in the first phase of DISASTER II, 176 km of roads in seven local governments were reconstructed and repaired, and 36 river crossings were built in 15 local government areas.

In Phase 2, he said 250 miles (403 km) of roads had been repaired and roads across the state had been carefully selected based on their economic vibrancy.

He added that of the 235 km of dual surface treatment roads, 103 km are in Niger South Senatorial District (Zone A), representing 48 percent.

Also, the commissioner said that 147.16 km of roads in the three senatorial zones are earmarked for improvement and surface treatment.

He praised the governor for his efforts in transforming rural areas while pledging the ministry’s determination to support him in improving the fortunes of rural communities.

The Permanent Secretary and State Project Coordinator, RAMP, Hassan Baba Etsu said that the current government had provided about N8 billion Naira counterpart fund to RAMP.

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Baba Etsu explained that the governor’s efforts to pay counterpart funds had qualified the state to participate in DISASTER III.

He said international markets will be built in all senatorial districts of the state in the foreseeable future to boost agricultural businesses.

Lavun local government chairman Isah Mohammed also said that the construction of the road will ease the hardships suffered by the people in the past.

He assured that the local government would ensure proper use of the road.

Jibrin Baba Ndace, former chief press secretary of Governor Sani Bello, appreciated the gesture of the state government on behalf of the beneficiary communities and explained that more than 200 communities are benefiting from the construction of the Kutigi-Dasun-Tashan Hajiya road. has connected them to two A-roads and railway lines.