The governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has argued that the state should receive a 13% derivation from the federal government. He bases this claim on the fact that the state suffers economically and environmentally due to the frequent flooding produced by the hydropower dams at Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro, and Zungeru.
Bago made the request while meeting with the leadership of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), which is chaired by Cosmas Akighir, at the Government House in Minna. During their meeting, Bago also urged the NCDC to prioritise addressing climate-related issues, communal conflicts, and insecurity in the North-Central region.
The governor emphasised that Niger State’s demand for a 13% derivation from the federal government is justified because the yearly release of water from the four hydropower dams has caused ongoing destruction of farmlands, displacement of citizens, and chaos in towns.
Remembering that the state is still dealing with the effects of climate change and environmental issues like the persistent flooding that has been threatening people’s lives, livelihoods, and food production, he begged the commission to give these issues more priority.
Bago urged the NCDC to find long-term answers to problems of communal violence and insecurity, mentioning in particular the persistent disputes between farmers and herders in the North Central area.
In order to address the unique developmental and security difficulties faced by the zone, he suggested that the commission and the governors of the area get together.
He claims that the commission might better meet the urgent requirements of member states if they were to participate in this way.
The governor went on to say that the commission should put a lot of money into education and agriculture since those two things are essential to long-term economic growth and sustainable development.
In order to guarantee efficient service delivery, he reassured the commission that the Niger State Government is prepared to help with its operations through the provision of a liaison office and other logistical support.
As part of its objective to promote sustainable development in the region, the North Central Development Commission is dedicated to establishing robust partnerships with member states, according to Cyril Tsenyil, the commission’s managing director.
Transportation, healthcare, education, industrialisation, water supply, electricity, and telecommunications are among the sectors that the commission will be looking into, according to Tsenyil.
In addition, he reassured the government of Niger State that the commission is prepared to work with them to address development issues such as insecurity.
Also present was Barr, who is the NCDC Governing Board Chairman. According to Cosmas Akighir, the visit was a stop on the commission’s tour of member states, during which it introduced its leadership and sought for potential areas of cooperation.
The governor’s efforts in agriculture, infrastructure, and governance were lauded by Akighir as major contributions to Niger State’s progress.