Politics
MARY Berje, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, says the governor has provided exemplary leadership and good governance since the inception of his administration in 2015.
Berje said this in an interview with newsmen in Minna on Friday, pointing out that the administration had carved a niche for itself.
According to her, the present administration has instituted sanity and financial discipline in the state.
She further said that the administration had remained focused in its anti-corruption fight, blocked wastages and created more avenues to enhance internally generated revenue.
Berje also said that the administration had remained consistent in developing areas considered pivotal to the economic transformation of the state as contained in its blueprint.
She said that the administration had achieved a great milestone in education, health, agriculture and infrastructure.
The CPS said: “The Bello-led administration has constructed and renovated more than 2,500 schools across the state and completely overhauled 22 under the Whole Schools Development Approach.
“It established the Teacher Professional Development Institute and also recruited 2,600 teachers.”
She said that the administration was also consolidating its effort in agriculture by harnessing the state’s potentials in areas it had comparative economic advantage for the overall development and prosperity of the state.
“Government is developing the massive 31,000 hectares, multi-million Naira Bobi Grazing Reserve to boost Meat and Dairy production.
“This milestone is expected to provide employment, generate revenue for the state and prevent incessant farmers/herdsmen clashes in the state.”
“We have made lots of progress also in the health sector, having constructed over 50 Primary Healthcare Centers across the state and reconstructing the General Hospitals in Minna, Kontagora, Bida, Suleja, Kutigi and Nasko,” she said.
Berje said that although COVID-19 slowed down government’s progress in some sectors, the pandemic brought out the administration’s dexterity in governance.
She said that before the state recorded its index case, the government had established isolation centers, procured ventilators and recently added testing equipment.
“The government has upgraded the IBB Specialist Hospital, equipped the Neonatal wing of the Minna General Hospital, employed over 250 medical personnel and health workers and increased their salaries by 40 per cent,” she added.
She further said that the administration had revived the Fire Service, which was moribund in the state and restored water supply in Minna, Kontagora, Bida, Suleja, New Bussa and Lapai.
Berje also said that government, in collaboration with security agencies, had continued to ensure the security of lives and property of the people with sustained war against armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling.
“The governor has also prioritised the welfare of workers and pensioners by regularly paying their salaries, pensions and gratuities.
“He implemented the 2019 minimum wage and salary structure for health workers and federal paramilitary salary structure for the state Fire Service, among others,” she said.
Berje said that the administration also made giant stride in road construction, citing the construction of over 500 kilometers of rural roads and many others in Minna, Kontagora, Bida, Agaie, Suleja, Tegina and Zungeru.
NAN
– May 29, 2020 @ 17:25 GMT /
Tags: Gov. Bello exemplified good leadership in Niger – CPS
