By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Niger state governor, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, has announced the commencement of short term 20 years development plans for New Bida town to strategically achieve its modernization in line with his administration's vision of urban renewal.
The 20-year development plan, Bago said, will be extended to other commercial cities including Minna the state capital, Suleja and Kontagora, respectively.
Governor Bago disclosed this during at a Town hall/Stakeholders engagement on 'New Bida 20 years Development Plan' organized by the state Ministry of Lands and Survey in collaboration with the New Niger Development Projects (NNDP).
The 20-year New Bida development plan, he said, will not only end rural-urban migration but engender rapid socio-economic growth and development of the town with social amenities.
Bago explained that the emerging new ring road of 44 km dual carriage way will divert traffic to give way for a new city to spring up with social amenities, improved land values of over 300, 000 plots worth billions of Naira to be created for New Bida extension.
He nevertheless cautioned communities to beware of land grabbers and speculators, adding that a 100 megawatt solar farm will be provided for the inhabitants to encourage small scale businesses and discourage especially youths from rural-urban migration.
He however told the people that development project would be in phases of 20 years short term and 50 years long term plans.
To boost the state's revenue base, Governor Bago said he expects that the over 3 million trailers passing through Niger state can earn the state untapped N3 billion IGR on a monthly basis.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers and the, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar had earlier told the people not to fear that their lands will be forcefully collected from them and therefore encouraged them to cooperate with the state government to develop Bida town.
Also in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Maurice Magaji, said the event is a defining moment and shared commitments towards transforming the ancient city of Bida into a modern and economically vibrant city. NNL.
