Kebbi State to access World Bank loan

Kebbi State Government is to access Sixty Million Dollars World Bank loan for the construction of five hundred kilometres rural roads network statewide. Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu announced this in Birnin Kebbi this Tuesday while hosting the Emir of Yauri Dr. Muhammadu Zayyanu Abdullahi and a large entourage from the Emirate who paid a thank you visit to the Governor. Senator Atiku Bagudu further announced that, the state Government has already paid its counterpart fund, explaining that the project has been designed to transform rural areas and ease transportation difficulty. He told the Emir that, the Government would participate in the construction of the dilapidated Jega-Koko-Yauri road by scrapping the road as agreed upon with the contractor on site.

The Governor acknowledged that, work was in progress on the completion of the Yauri Power Sub-Station saying that already the government has released three hundred and seventy four million naira towards this purpose as well as the repairs of Yauri-Birnin Yauri to Zuru Power lines to actualize uninterrupted electricity supply. Senator Atiku Abubakar expressed sympathy about the lack of water supply to Yauri town and environs as narrated to him by the emir and immediately ordered the commissioner for water resources to identify the problem for immediate actions.

Furthermore, the Governor announced the release of money for immediate evacuation of trees and other obstacles along water ways in Yauri Emirate to pave way for smooth marine transportation and avoid boats mishaps as recorded in the area recently, with fatalities. On non-receipt of Kebbi Television signals in Yauri Emirate as complained by the Emir, the Governor remarked that, the problem would soon be over as his administration has released seven hundred million naira for the contract to digitalize the television station including Yauri, Zuru and Koko Sub-stations which started test transmission.

Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu expressed appreciation to the Emir and his large delegation for showing solidarity to his administration,acknowledging that apart from the proposed Rice Mill to be established by Dangote at Dugu Raha in Shanga Local Government area, the Emirate has the capacity to accommodate additional investment. He informed the Emir that, the state government has provided one hundred million naira to each member of the State House of Assembly for constituency project. Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu requested the four Emirs in the state Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru to preach virtures of unity in their domains to consolidate the long standing position of Kebbi State as one people with same destiny living in brotherliness. The Governor affirmed the commitment of his administration to agricultural development including livestock production and fisheries. He however, advised farmers who received loan to endeavour to repay such loans for others to benefit.

Earlier, the Emir of Yauri Dr. Muhammadu Zayyanu Abdullahi expressed immense appreciation to the Governor for facilitating the industrialisation of the emirate by bringing Dangote Group to establish a rice mill at Dugu Raha which he described as beneficial to the people of Yauri as well as Kebbi State. The Emir acknowledged that, Dangote Group would engage two thousand rice farmers who would received improves seeds and fertilizer for the cultivation of paddy rice thereby enhancing the economic prosperity of communities. Dr. Zayyanu Abdullahi commended the Governor for providing funding for the completion of Yauri power sub-station, saying that, the Emirate has been suffering lack of power for the past fifteen years.

The Emir would also want the government to immediately construct rural roads in the Emirate as well as the completion of the highly deplorable Jega-Koko-Yauri road. Dr. Zayyanu Abdullahi appealed to the Governor to immediately order the overhaul of the Yauri Water System to bring to an end the acute water scarcity facing the area. He explained that some of the water pipes in Yauri were laid more than fifty years ago, had become rustly emphasizing the need for the government to re-activate boreholes in the area. He also requested the incumbent administration to expand the Yauri market in view of the large number of traders from within and outside the state patronizing the market.

Among those on the Emir’s entourage were Members of the Emirate Council, Districts and Village Heads, Elders from Yauri, Businessmen, Politicians and other interest groups.