Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has inaugurated the residential layout plan for a proposed 500-unit housing estate in Kontagora as part of efforts to expand access to affordable housing and promote urban development in the state.
Governor Bago, popularly known as the “Farmer Governor,” said the 40-hectare land designated for the housing project belongs to the Niger State Government and was previously reserved for the Radio Niger Corporation.
He explained that the land had been encroached upon over the years, with some criminal elements occupying parts of the property, prompting the government to reclaim and develop it for public benefit.
According to the governor, the state government has cleared the site and is prepared to invest in the necessary infrastructure and site-and-services facilities before allocating plots to prospective buyers.
Bago announced that the estate would be named after the Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Alhaji Muhammad Barau Mu’azu II, in recognition of his contributions to the community. He added that the project aligns with the developmental vision of his administration.
The governor expressed confidence that the housing estate would stimulate the expansion of Kontagora, improve urban planning, and provide more residents with opportunities to own homes.
He further disclosed that the Niger State Government would collaborate with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Project to ensure the successful execution of the estate.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barrister Bello Ahmad Agwara, said the residential layout covers approximately 305 plots of varying sizes, including 100-by-50-foot and 100-by-30-foot plots, as well as three commercial plots.
He added that the master plan also provides for key public amenities, including a neighbourhood centre, shopping mall, children’s playground, clinic, and other supporting infrastructure.
Agwara noted that the layout was designed in line with the Bago administration’s New Niger Agenda, aimed at promoting sustainable urban development and improving the quality of life for residents.
The project is expected to boost housing delivery, attract investment, and support the socio-economic growth of Kontagora and surrounding communities.
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