Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago of Niger State has urged the people of Bida Local Council to support the ongoing ring road of 44-kilometer dual carriageway project, which is aimed at diverting traffic from the township.

Bago made the appeal while officially unveiling the New Bida 20-Year Development Plan for the modernisation of Bida at a town hall meeting and stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Ministry of Lands and Survey in collaboration with the New Niger Development Project, held in Bida.

The governor explained that the 20-year New Bida Development Plan is a short-term plan that would engender rapid development and boost socio-economic activities in the town, noting that the state government is not collecting anybody’s land but that owners of any property that will be affected by the project will be duly compensated.

In his words, “A new city will also spring up in the area, and social amenities as well as a 100-megawatt solar farm will be provided for the people in the area,” Bago assures.

The governor, however, cautioned community members to be wary of land grabbers.

Earlier, in his keynote address, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, urged the people of his kingdom to cooperate with the state government in its effort to develop Bida town, which he said would secure a good future for many generations.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barrister Maurice Magaji, disclosed that the event is a defining moment and a shared commitment to transform Bida into an economically vibrant city, adding that the plan provides a framework for sustainable growth and environmental resilience, among others.

Several stakeholders at the event were full of commendation for the governor for his developmental strides and called for support from the people to enable him to fully achieve his vision.

The event also featured enumeration and valuation for compensation by Alh. Adamu Mohammed, a presentation by Arc. Ramatu Teni Suleiman on optimising land use and infrastructural development, an overview of the New Bida by Prof. Mohammed Bala Banki, and suggestions and recommendations, among others.