Kebbi State Government has announced the release of over ₦4 billion for a renewed wave of accelerated development projects across key sectors of the state’s economy.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahamed BK, made this known at a press conference held at the new State Secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
Ahamed outlined several major funding approvals and strategic interventions aimed at addressing infrastructure deficits and improving the well-being of citizens, reaffirming the commitment of Governor Nasir Idris’ administration to the overall transformation of the state.
He said in the health sector, the sum of ₦926,371,292.16 had been approved for the urgent rehabilitation and upgrading of Martha Bamaiyi General Hospital in Zuru, a decision necessitated by the facility’s previously deplorable condition.
He added that an additional ₦1,709,525,252.53 was approved for the rehabilitation of 21 Primary Health Centres across the state.
According to him, the interventions are designed to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure more efficient and responsive services, noting that work has already commenced at various project sites.
In the area of agriculture and rural development, the administration has also taken significant steps toward implementing the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
The Commissioner disclosed that the government has released ₦2,000,000,000 as additional counterpart funding for the second phase, known as “RAAMP Scale-Up,” alongside ₦1,000,000,000 as capital seed funding for the take- off of the Kebbi State Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA).
He added that, these releases ensure that Kebbi state remains up-to-date with its obligations to international partners, who have committed approximately 1 billion US dollars to the project.
Similarly, in the water resources and irrigation sector said Kebbi State successfully emerged among the 28 states that met the eligibility criteria for the World Bank-supported Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project.
According to him, to secure participation, from this initiative, which focuses on food security and Dam safety, the government approved and fully released ₦500,000,000 as counterpart funding as the initiative is expected to enhance food security, improve Dam safety and create substantial employment opportunities.
In the Lands and Housing sector, the administration has prioritized the electrification of the Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu Housing Estate in Birnin Kebbi to enhance security and stimulate local economic activities. The sum of ₦975,076,883.00 was approved for this purpose, and work is already underway.
COV/ SANI DUTSINMA
