Niger State Governor, Muhammad Bago, has revealed that the state government has budgeted N9.864 billion annually for the Ward Development Project, out of which N3 million will be spent monthly on each of the 274 wards of the state.

The governor gave the hint during the inauguration of the State Steering Committee for the Niger State Ward Development Project, held at the Council Chamber, Government House, Minna.

Bago, who described the inauguration of the committee as historical for all Nigerlites, stressed that the Ward Development Project, which has been long awaited, has already kick-started with the inauguration of the State Steering Committee, which will, in turn, inaugurate the Local Government Committee, with the Local Government Committee equally forming committees at the ward level.

The governor noted that the list of people to make up the Local Government Committees will vary from ward to ward, as a template has been produced to accommodate critical stakeholders in the Ward Committees.

Bago, however, reminded the committee members of the herculean task ahead of them and that they must wear their thinking caps, as the state government requires a needs assessment from different wards through their committees to ascertain the degree of what they require, ranging but not limited to health, education, sanitation, water, security, and infrastructure.

He expressed confidence in the committee, adding that the members have the capacity to deliver and, as such, he is counting on them to carry out their task diligently.

Governor Bago also disclosed that N3 million is set aside as a baseline, adding that as there are other interwoven agencies like the Local Government Area councils, SUBEB, healthcare centres, and the Ministries of Environment and Education, which also have projects to be domiciled in wards, there should be synchronisation to ensure an even spread of projects across the state.

He advised that people who will execute the projects should be from the respective wards and have expertise in various fields to enable them to participate and be productive in the development of their areas while also expressing optimism that the initiative will help in the rapid development of the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the State Steering Committee and Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Phalalu Bako Mohammed, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they will work assiduously to achieve the desired result.

He commended the governor for all the developmental projects being executed across the state, describing his efforts as unprecedented.

The Chairman of the Committee disclosed that the committee will immediately embark on citizens’ engagement and sensitisation and will ensure the funds are judiciously utilised through proper monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Other committee members include Mu’azu Hamidu Jantabo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as the Vice Chairman; Alh. Aminu Musa Bobi, who is also the Niger State APC Chairman, Member; Hajiya Binta Mamman, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Member; Engr. Ibrahim Panti, Special Adviser, Ward Development Project, Member.

Others are Mohammad Nma Kolo, Special Adviser, Political, Member; Yahuza Abdullahi, Director-General, Wards Relations, Member; Iliyasu Zakari, Niger State ALGON Chairman, Member; and Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Bello, Permanent Secretary, Rural Development, who will serve as the Secretary of the Committee.