Niger Govt. approves N300m to address erosion, flooding
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by rita iliya2 the news agency of nigeria nan reports that newmap is funded by world bank partnered by state governments and the federal government1 gov. abubakar bello of niger disclosed this on friday when malam salisu dahiru the national project coordinator newmap came on a courtesy visit to government house in minna1 bello said that the money was part of the state governments 2018 counterpart funding for the world bank-assisted two million dollars grant to help address the states gully erosion problems1 he said that the project was targeting these selected areas in the state rafin-gora in kontagora baban rami in mashegu ungwar shanu tayaman in kagara efumayakiefumada in bida and minna metropolis1 other areas are lapai agaie suleja and mokwa1 a lot of lives have been lost in these areas because of serious gully erosion. therefore i have directed for work to commence immediately1 work should start immediately after the rainy season even though we know the work requires a lot of resources places like rafin-gora need immediate action1 the federal government needs to do more in assisting the state with more resources to address these problems he said1 bello advised newmap to be prudent and to utilise the resources effectively for the intervention projects1 the niger government has approved the release of n300 million to the nigeria erosion and watershed management project newmap as counterpart funding to help address gully erosion and flooding challenges in the state1 dahiru said that the state had paid its counterpart fund which was part of the requirements for any state to participate successfully in newmap1 he said that the governor had directed newmap to engage a consultant that would produce the required engineering drawings for the intervention in some priority gully erosion sites across the state1 we are here to brief the governor on the progress made so far following his visit to the minister of environment on the need to assist the state1 our priority is to control the problems of gully erosion and flooding particularly those experienced this year1 for newmap to intervene in any state it must produce comprehensive engineering drawings that show what they intend to do and the timelines1 the governor has approved the official inauguration of the project and given marching orders for activities to commence immediately on sites affected by gully erosion and flooding1 the project is being sponsored by the world bank partnered by newmap to provide technical solutions1 once all the designs are ready the world bank will provide all the required funds needed to implement the projects dahiru said1 earlier dahiru disclosed that the world bank has released two million dollars as preparatory grant for the project in niger state1

Independence: Niger governor pardons 287 prisoners
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by rita iliya2 he also congratulated president muhammad buhari on his affirmation as the apc presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections1 he also commuted the death sentence of 20 inmates to various term of imprisonment discharged 40 others and ordered payment of fines for 221 convicts held in various prisons across the state1 a statement by malam jibrin ndace chief press secretary to the governor in minna on monday quoted bello as saying that the gesture was in the spirit of the season1 he directed the attorney general of the state and the state council on prerogative of mercy to effect immediate implementation of the pardon1 he reiterated that his administration would continue to ensure the progress and development of the state in line with the visions of the nationalists who fought for liberation and sovereignty of the country1 gov. abubakar bello of niger has granted unconditional pardon to four prison inmates on death row and two others convicted and kept in prison custody as part of nigerias 58th independence anniversary1 i called on our people to resist any overt or covert attempts by individuals and or groups to cause disharmony in the state as we enter into the next phase of state and national political activities he said1 bello also called on politicians and political parties to avoid acts capable of infringing on the right of the people even as democracy admits protests rallies and demonstrations1 he said that though democracy admits protest rallies and demonstrations such activities should be carried out in a responsible and peaceful manner1 he commended members of the all progressive congress apc for affirming his candidature to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state1 we are committed to making our state better than yesterday so that tomorrow will be more comfortable for ourselves and the next generation1