NIGER INFORMATION MINISTRY PROVIDES PLATFORM FOR MDAs TO SHOWCASE THREE YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER GOVERNOR BAGO.

The Niger State Ministry of Information and Orientation has provided a strategic platform for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to present their achievements, ongoing projects, and future development plans under the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago over the past three years.

The high-level media briefing, held at the Communications Technology and Digital Economy Agency in Minna, was part of activities commemorating the third anniversary of Governor Bago’s administration and the implementation of the New Niger Agenda.

The event brought together commissioners, heads of government agencies, editors, journalists, and other media stakeholders from within and outside the state, fostering transparency, accountability, and direct engagement between government officials and the public through the media.

Speaking at the opening session, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Obed Nuhu Nana, said the initiative was designed to enable MDAs provide verifiable accounts of their stewardship and developmental interventions directly to citizens.

He noted that the briefing underscores the administration’s commitment to transparency, openness, and inclusive governance while ensuring residents remain informed about government policies, programmes, and projects across the state.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Bago’s administration has remained focused on institutional reforms and people-centred policies aimed at repositioning Niger State for sustainable economic growth, social development, and infrastructural transformation.

During the briefing, several MDAs took turns to highlight key milestones recorded within their respective sectors.

The Ministry of Health, under Dr. Muritala Bagana, disclosed that the state now has 54 Level-Two Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), including 20 newly established facilities. The ministry further revealed plans to increase the number to 103 by February 2027, with a long-term target of 274 centres across all wards in the state.

In the education sector, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, announced the operationalisation of Quality Assurance structures across the 25 Local Government Areas to strengthen supervision, improve teacher performance, and enhance accountability in schools. She also disclosed plans to domesticate the National Teacher Career Path Policy to promote professionalism and career progression among teachers.

Representing the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, the Permanent Secretary, QS Baba Etsu, stated that over 1,000 kilometres of roads are currently under construction across the state under the Urban Renewal Programme. He also announced the approval of the Mararaban Daudu–Kuta Road project to improve connectivity, facilitate movement, and support agricultural value chains.

The Ministry of Agriculture, represented by the Director of Agricultural Services, Adamu Garba Maikasuwa, highlighted major interventions aimed at strengthening food security and mechanised farming. These include the procurement and deployment of 250 tractors, distribution of 150,000 metric bags of fertiliser to farmers, and capacity-building programmes for agricultural extension workers through partnerships with international development organisations.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Aminu Suleiman Takuma, disclosed that the state has attracted significant foreign investment commitments. He highlighted a $163 million Islamic Development Bank-supported solar power project and a $684 million investment package from Chinese partners for infrastructure development within five Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones across the state.

The Commissioner for Water Resources and Dams Development, Engr. Farouk Umar Audi, reported that the Minna Water Works reticulation network has been expanded by 20 per cent, while rehabilitation and upgrade works are ongoing in Chanchaga, Suleja, and New Bussa to improve access to potable water.

On security, the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barr. Mourice Magaji, said the administration has continued to strengthen community-based intelligence gathering, security coordination, and proactive response mechanisms to safeguard lives, property, and critical infrastructure across the state.

The briefing also provided journalists and other stakeholders the opportunity to seek clarifications and engage directly with heads of MDAs on government policies, projects, and implementation progress.

The Ministry of Information and Orientation reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining effective government-public communication and keeping citizens adequately informed on the policies, programmes, and developmental strides of the Niger State Government.