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Niger residents buy into urban policy review

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Residents of Suleja, Tafa and Gurara in Niger have lauded the state government for formulating urban policy to address environmental challenges facing all the 25 local government areas.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commendation came during a town hall meeting in Suleja to sensitise communities as part of the preparation for the formulation of the state urban policy.

The state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, commended the participation and contributions of the residents in the programme.

Bello, who was represented by Alhaji Baba Wachiko, Permanent Secretary, Economics Affairs, particularly lauded the active involvement of women and their commitment to the success of the meeting.

He also commended traditional leaders for availing themselves, noting that their involvement would bring about the success of the urban policy.

Alhaji Umaru Shuaibu, a member of the Board of Nigeria Port Authority and resident of Suleja, said the issue of urban policy had been a challenge at state and national level.

Shuaibu was optimistic that the domestication of urban policy would address issues of human settlement.

“Suleja, for instance, is a fast growing city because of its proximity to Abuja. Many people working in Abuja reside in Suleja and the population is fast increasing. Therefore, having this policy will help to address pressing urban issues,’’ he said.

He said that the policy would serve as a guide for human development and capture challenges of various communities for government to run an inclusive administration.

Similarly, Malam Awwal Ibrahim, the Emir of Suleja, commended the state government for involving residents in the preparation of the urban policy.

He added that the policy would serve as a guide to government to have knowledge of people’s aspirations.

Ibrahim, however, said that there was an already existing policy for Suleja town and appealed to government to make use of the policy to have a coordinated human settlement in Suleja.

Also, Hajiya Salimat Takuma, State President of National Council of Women Society (NCWS) described the urban policy as a welcome development.

Takuma said that the policy would keep the government abreast with the challenges facing the communities.

“Going down to the people to hear about their challenges and what their needs are is a commendable step. This will bring about a better environment for businesses to strive. This policy will favour women most to have a better environment,’’ she said.

In his address, Prof. Zubairu Mustapha, Coordinator, Niger State Urban Policy, said the meeting was for government to hear views, hopes and aspirations of the people across the state.

Mustapha said the government would analyse the report of the meeting as a basis for drafting the policy.

He said that the communities would be given the opportunity to access the draft policy to ensure that issues and challenges raised have been addressed before adopting it as a policy.

“We have had this kind of meetings in Minna, Bida, Kontagora, and now we are here in Suleja.

“This policy is an inclusive approach, and from time to time, we will be accessing the policy to see how effective is has been. The policy will give residents the direction to go for the content of development,’’ he said.

NAN report that the town hall meeting was attended by stakeholders from Tafa, Gurara and Suleja Local Government Areas.


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