…As Niger govt begins plans to send IDPs who have spent over 5 years in camps to new resettlement to enable them farm and continue with their normal businesses
Niger state has in the past one year experienced unprecedented and dramatic changes despite the economic and insecurity challenges that have bedevilled parts of the State. In this interview, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, HON. BINTA MAMMAN enumerates efforts made by the Farmer Governor, RT. Hon. Umar Muhammad Bago led government to revamp the state. EXCERPTS:
Honourable Commissioner ma, what do you think of building a New Niger with the current economic situation?
The task of building a New Niger is none negotiable. We can all see that the first year in office of Farmer Governor Bago has been a year of foundation laying. A period that is full of unprecedented government activities with remarkable evidence of impact in all the sectors of the economy.
What are some of these activities?
The ongoing infrastructural development across the State, under his Urban Renewal policy, the Green Economy Initiative and the current Agricultural Revolution in the State, improving the Health sector among others, are tips of the iceberg compared to what this administration intends to achieve at the end of the first four years. His excellency is focused and has reiterated his unwavering willingness and determination for the total transformation of the State. That is why, this administration always acknowledge the support of the citizens and we enjoin them to sustain the tempo and continue to show understanding as the task is herculean and collective.
Ma, infrastructural development include road construction, what is the level of road constructions across the state?
You will recall that Farmer Governor Bago performed the groundbreaking of the Minna-Bida Road project co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and the Niger State Government at Kakakpangi village and there was similar event for the Bida-Lemu-Wushishi road supported by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as well as the Bida township road projects. The farmer Governor equally performed the groundbreaking of 5 kilometres of road projects each in Mokwa, Enagi, Kutigi, Lemu, Katcha, Agaie, and Lapai in May this year. The projects when completed would enhance accessibility to rural areas, improve connectivity and reduce isolation as well as improve safety.
What are the steps taken so far in actualizing the governor’s Agricultural revolutionary policy and plans to feed the nation?
Great steps are being taken. For the agricultural mechanization, Niger foods signed 10,000 hectares land lease agreement with twelve communities under Bida Emirate for farm estates. This would ensure food sufficiency and security. The agreement signed is for 50 years so as to establish commercial farms and farm estates for mechanised production of rice, sesame, soya and maize in the first instance with an expected yield of 250,000 tonnes on an average per annum.
What will be the role of the Niger Foods Limited?
They would facilitate investors that would provide 60 per cent irrigation, about 50,000 tonnes silo, schools, and hospitals among others, thereby making the farm estates food production centres and would be replicated in all other local government areas of the State. Niger Foods Limited is a State-owned private enterprise with the mandate of turning around the Agricultural sector of the State to feed the Nation and export to other nations through partnerships. Through the Niger Foods, we hope to create half a million jobs that would bring about economic prosperity to the people of the state. We all know that the solution to food security is production and storage and we are determined to achieve it in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Farmer Umaru Bago’s policies on Agriculture. The initiative has global support as some investors have indicated interest in bringing in machines and technology to enhance farm production whereby all arable lands would be put into productive use for rapid socio-economic development.
With the rate of insecurity in parts of the state, what is the guarantee for farmer’s safety?
The Government has assured that it will ensure an enabling environment which is to provide especially security for investors, smallholder farmers and even would-be farmers would also be greatly supported with necessary agricultural materials that would boost their yields. We just need to continue to appeal to our people on the benefit of the policy and the need for them to sustain their support. And we call on the youths of the participating communities to take advantage of the opportunity to better their lots.
Let us talk about the mining sector, is the ban on mining still effective?
Yes, the ban is still very much effective. Late last year, the Farmer Governor suspended all forms of mining activities in the state with immediate effect to enable the government profile all those involved in such businesses across the state and to keep accurate record of their activities. This administration would no longer tolerate the activities of illegal miners in the state. There are indications that, illegal mining especially of gold was responsible for the high rate of insecurity in parts of the state. And so, efforts are being made to apprehend defaulters.
How can the security task force apprehend defaulters especially in insecurity prone communities?
The state government had sought the collaboration of the Nigerian Army in executing the ban on illegal mining in the State after the recent collapse of a mining site that claimed the lives of some people. You will agree with me that the activities of illegal and artisanal miners have caused so much damage to the environment. Shiroro and Munya local government areas are the worst hit by insecurity in the State and illegal and artisanal mining are among the causes. I have no doubt that this strategic collaboration will mitigate the environmental damage and security challenges posed by illegal and artisanal mining activities. I am very optimistic about the partnership’s potential to strengthen the task force established to execute the ban.
On insecurity in parts of the state, what is the state government doing to curb the menace and will the state be needing federal might, ever since the withdrawal of military some months ago?
Of course, yes! The Governor had appeal to the Federal Government to intervene by bringing back the military withdrawn from Allawa community over five months ago, because this will enable our people to go back to their normal ways of life. We all know that to tackle insecurity is a collective effort and the farmer Governor has assured that efforts are being redoubled to tame the tide. The government has also declared a State of Emergency on thuggery in the State, especially Minna the state capital and its environs.
Honourable Commissioner ma, what is the hope of those displaced by insecurity?
There is hope for their return because the government is doing everything humanly possible to change the narrative and break the pool of insecurity in the state, particularly in areas bedevilled by banditry. We sympathise with our people especially those in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, our prayers on daily basis is for them to return to their ancestral homes soonest. Government is working out plan for resettlement of people (IDPs) who are in the camps for more than 5 years to a place where there is safety to enable them farm and continue with their normal businesses. There are plans also to move schools to the urban area to allow the children continue with their education.
What about the health sector, are there plans to revamp health facilities?
In the health sector, the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has prioritized the health sector to enhance better health care services. In June this year, Governor Bago performed the ground-breaking for the construction of 100 units of Level 2 Primary Health Care facilities across the state and about 20 of these centres, constructions have commenced and would be ready in few weeks time. The PHCs will be situated across the 25 local governments of the state so that people can access quality healthcare services within their communities without having to travel far. The centres will be equipped with modern facilities such as modern beds, maternity equipment, computers and 24 hour solar power system among others to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to the people. In this regards the health and education sectors are the top priorities for the 2025 budget and they will be getting 50 percent, that is half of the entire budget.