Monarchs pledge support for Niger govt urban devt. policy

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna.

Traditional rulers under Bida, Lapai and Agaie Emirates (Zone A Senatorial District) of Niger State have pledged to support the formulation of the state government urban development policy.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of Traditional Council, Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya, gave the pledged during a town hall meeting to sensitise communities for the preparation of the state urban policy in eight local government areas in Bida.
Represented by Alhaji Abubakar Alkali, Mayaki Nupe, said that the emirate would give the necessary support needed for the programme to succeed.
“Urban development is all about all of us, and it involves everyone and everybody’s participation, we will give the programme the opportunity to succeed, he said.
In his address, Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, said that the policy would enable the state and local governments to shift from over-reliance on Federal Allocation to harness their economic potentials which had remained undeveloped.
Bello, who was represented by Alhaji Baba Wachiko, Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs, called for effective synergy between the two tiers of governments and residents for the success of the programme.
“This is to enable Nigerlites to demonstrate ownership and contribute resources to pay their equitable share of the cost of service provision and to install in them proprietary pride in their communities, “ he said.
In his remarks, Prof. Mustapha Zubairu, Coordinator, Niger State Urban Support Programme (SUP), explained that the effort was to enable government harness its natural resources to become self-reliance.
He said that the policy would translate to reduction in poverty especially among rural communities as it would create jobs for the youths and improve the state and local government internally generated revenue.