***As it links bad roads to prevailing Insecurity in the state
The Niger State House of Assembly has appealed to the federal government to as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of the state government towards addressing the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state.
The house said bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements have continue to take advantage of the bad condition of the roads to unleash terror on innocent travelers and residents.
The speaker of the state house of assembly Rt Abdulmalik Sarkindaji stated this on Tuesday in his remarks during the presentation of this year’s budget to the house by the governor, Rt. Hon Umar Mohammed Bago.
The speaker said the entire federal roads in the state are in the state of dilapidation which has made the commercial and economic lives of the people very difficult and miserable.
Of great concern to the Speaker was the way and manner, bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements take advantage of the bad spots of the roads to unleash terror on the people.
Sarkindaji listed some of the roads to include, Minna-Zungeru-Kontagora roads, Kontagora-Rijau road, Minna-Suleja road, Kontagora-Bangi road and Bida-Minna road.
He said the roads are urgently begging for attention, adding that “We therefore appealed to the federal government to urgently undertake construction of these roads in the fiscal year”.
The speaker pointed out that the appeal has become expedient a d instructive because Niger State is one of the stronghold of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the country, adding that it is important that citizens get value for their electoral decision and sacrifice for the party”.
He nonetheless commended the federal government for ongoing intensive and successful military operations against the Bandits and other insurgents across the state, stressing that peace in the state is critical to the federal capital, the seat of government.
“It is worthy of mention that in this year’s farming season, farmers were able to harvest their farm produce without hindrance by the criminals”.
He equally gave credit to the governor and his administration for bringing to an end, the incidences of street fighting in Minna the state capital which had become a norm in the past, leading to lose of lives, disruption of economic activities and lose of revenue.
The speaker then commended the governor for maintaining positive relationship with the legislative arm of the government which he said has translated to the little achievements so far recorded by his administration since may 29.
“I commend the vision and leadership by the governor in crafting a budget that echoes the aspirations of our state. Together through the successful marriage of policy and fiscal responsibility, we are sowing the seeds of a prosperous, environmentally consciousness for the state.
“Let us continue to work together hand in hand to nurture this green revolution and real the bountiful rewards it promises for generations to come”.