The road network in the state is the main source of the issue, according to the Niger State Government, which has bemoaned its existing infrastructure deficit of more than 70%.
In order for the State to achieve sustainable economic growth, the development of the infrastructure sector, particularly a good road network, is essential to attaining the aim, according to Alhaji Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who made this statement in Minna.
In light of this, he said, the state government recently entered into a contract with a private consulting business to provide consulting services for the building of 556 km of roads throughout the state’s 25 LGs.
He claims that a total of 24 roads, totaling 556 km in length, have been identified as being intended to alleviate some of the infrastructural deficiencies in the State.
They are the 100 km Minna Township Road, 50 km in each of the cities of Bida Suleja and Kontagora, 5 km in each of the 17 LGAs, Rafi, Agwara-Borgu-Rijau-Kontagora 90 km, Rijau-Kontagora-Minna 41 km, and dualization of Kakaki-Minna 90 km, respectively.
Usman stated that the building of roads will support trade, industry, and commerce among the populace and aid the state in achieving higher economic growth, adding that “the establishment of efficient road infrastructure will also create a cost-effective and secure movement of goods, bolstering both the safety and well-being of road users”.
The project will be on a performance-based contract and is anticipated to be funded by a group of banks. According to the SSG, due process has been followed. The loans will be repaid through increased internal generation revenue (IGR), improved federal allocation as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy, and major roads that can be tolled.
The exercise will end on September 5th, paving the way for the project’s groundbreaking, which is planned to start in November 2023 and be finished in December 2025.