Niger govt. to harness mineral potential, says Bago

By Ismail Abdulaziz

Gov. Umar Bago of Niger has pledged to fully exploit the human and natural resources available in different parts of the state.

Bago stated this during an interaction with State House correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja.

He also said that the new administration would overcome all hurdles to break new grounds for the good of the state.

“The state is blessed with arable land that needs harvesting. The insecurity has prevented our people from accessing these lands.

“I am already working with security agencies to get people back to the land.

“The natural endowment also will be tapped to the fullest; we have the choice of either moving forward with these resources or looking backward at the various challenges we met on ground,” he said.

On the economic side,  Bago said that Suleja town in Suleja Local Government Area of the state would be turned into a business hub with the collaboration of indigenous private investors.

He added that markets and motor parks would be enhanced in the town to attract investors.

“Already, we have started in a small way by ensuring that a better atmosphere is provided at the popular Madalla Market.

“We were able to provide suitable site for traders to prevent the traffic hold ups associated with the market every Thursday.

“More markets, business areas will be opened to accommodate and allow varied businesses in the town to flourish. This is significant because Suleja is the gateway to the nation’s capital,” he said.

The governor also spoke of his administration’s commitment to according women their rightful positions in the scheme of things in the state.

“On the issue of women and the girl-child in the state, we intend and have already directed that secretaries of local government councils should be women.

“We also planned that in the next round of elections, women would become vice chairmen of councils.

“The girl-child is also being considered to be taken back to school in all our communities plus those that were affected by insecurity of bandits.

“We intend to take the schools to them through the use of technology, so that physical classroom will not be a barrier to their education.”

(NAN)