Niger state has been described as the gateway between Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria.
It therefore deserves special attention from the federal government.
This came to the fore as stakeholders in the state presented a three-point agenda to the federal government.
The agenda were designed to make life better for the residents of the state.
They requested the federal government to address the incessant bandit attacks, bad roads and epileptic electricity supply in state which they tagged as the major challenges of the state.
These requests were presented on Thursday at the Government House Minna, the state capital involving legislators, traditional rulers, youth organizations, women groups and religious leaders during a critical stakeholders meeting called by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada.
The Chief Imam of Minna, Malam Ibrahim Fari, in his remarks lamented that insecurity and lack of electricity are the major problems of the state.
He insisted that if the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) provide adequate electricity in the state.
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“We want AEDC to increase the supply of electricity in the state. We are not accepting anything less than 20 hours of electricity, if they cannot give us this, let them leave the state,” he said.
Also, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Reverend Mathias Echioda, described the state of roads in the state as death traps noting that the federal government needs to declare a state of emergency on the roads across Niger state.
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The representative of the women group, Barrister Aisha Galadima in her contribution said the state deserves a better deal from the Federal Government reiterating that the roads across the states need attention.
“Niger state is a gateway state in the country, most commuters have to pass through Niger state to get to other states in the north. That is why the roads need attention,” she remarked
Other stakeholders I in the in their separate contributions reminded the Federal Government of how majority of the local governments in the state are no more conducive for people to live in as bandits have taken over some of the towns with incessant attacks.
The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello while speaking said all the points raised by the stakeholders were apt.
According to the governor, “Niger state has spoken loud and clear. All contributions and recommendations are apt and on point. We have moved this and we assure you that the Federal Government will get your messages.”
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada promised to covey the messages of the people to the Federal Government.
He said that the meeting was a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari who asked all ministers to return to their states and call a meeting and engage their people on challenges facing them.
He assured that the Federal Government will provide solutions to all the challenges highlighted by the people.
