Urban renewal: Niger Gov’t  roll out 20yrs development plan for Bida, target 300,000 plots

By Daniel Ebi, Minna 

As its ongoing Urban renewal programme gathers momentum, Niger State Government is  rolling  out a 20years medium term development plan for Bida town targeting  to create 3000 new plots.

Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago disclosed this over the weekend during a strategic  New Bida 20years development  plan town hall meeting with stakeholders.

He said  the development plan for New Bida town is to strategically achieve its modernization in line with his administration’s vision of urban renewal development in the state.

The Town Hall Meeting/Stakeholders Engagement on ‘New Bida 20 Years Development Plan’ was organized by the Niger State ministry of Lands and Survey in collaboration with  New Niger Development Projects {NNDP) in the Bida local government area of Niger state.

According  to him, the 20-year New Bida development plan is aimed at boosting and engendering rapid socio-economic development of the town with much attention to the areas of modern social amenities for growth and development, to be extended to other cities to include; Suleja, Kontagora and Minna respectively.

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Governor Bago explained that, the ring road of 44 km dual carriageway which is  under construction is aimed at diverting traffic, added that a new city will also spring up in the area and social amenities, improve land values of over 300,000 plots worth billions of naira to be created for New Bida extension as well as a 100 megawatt solar farm will be provided for the inhabitants in the area.

He caution community members to be wary of land grabbers and speculators while urging them to embark on planting of economic trees to improve their land values especially during compensation, expressing optimism for the future of Niger state hence government plans to extend the Baro city master plan underway.

Bago advised the people to be patient, show understanding and support the project, emphasizing that the State Government would not collect anybody’s land but assured the owners of any property that will be affected by the project to be compensated accordingly.

He however  reminded  the residents that  under the Land use Act every land belongs to the government but, his administration recognizes the natives lauding their  contributions, collaborations and advice from all, reassured to be a listening leader.

Bago also revealed that the development is going to be in phases of 20 years short term and 50 years long term plans adding that over 3 million trailers passing through can generate N3 billion IGR monthly left untapped while he insisted to ensure development despite inadequate financial resources available to the state 

Speaking earlier, the paramount  ruler , Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has dispelled the community fears of collecting their lands and called on the people to cooperate with the state government in the efforts to develop Bida town is aimed at ensuring a better future for the unborn generations.

 Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Maurice Magaji, in his renark noted 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 foundation for sustainable growth, shape plans to meet the aspirations of the people and environmental resilience, among others.

The event featured on the Enumeration and Valuation for Compensation by Alhaji Adamu Mohammed, presentation by Architect Ramatu Teni Suleiman, on Optimizing Land Use and Infrastructural Development and an overviews of the New Bida by Professor Mohammed Bala Banki, Suggestions and Recommendations respectively.