The Niger government has secured additional funding of $684 million from a consortium of Chinese firms for basic infrastructure across five locations of special agro-industrial processing zones in the state.

The commissioner for investment and private sector development, Aminu Suleima-Takuma, said this on Friday in Minna at a news briefing to mark the three-year anniversary of the present administration in the state.

He said the funds were aside from the $29 million approved by the African Development Bank (ADB) for the project in 10 states, including Niger.

The commissioner also said that the state has initiated a no-tax policy for any firm willing to set up a solar cell manufacturing company.

He further stated that the ministry has signed a $163 million agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for the development of the first solar project that will provide 24 hours of power in 189 communities in the next decade.

Mr Suleima-Takuma maintained that the state had moved on from a resource-rich to a premium destination for investments and a model for economic diversification.

Speaking, the commissioner for water resources and irrigation services, Faruq Umar-Audi, said the Niger government had expanded the recirculation of Minna waterworks by about 20 per cent in the past three years of the present administration.

He said the expansion was part of the administration’s effort to improve water supply, especially in the Minna metropolis.

The commissioner also said that plans are in place to expand the Chanchaga waterworks from 70,000 cubic meters to 125,000 cubic meters to boost water supply in the next couple of days.

Mr Umar-Audi further stated that machines in Suleja Water Works have been changed and the New Bussa Water Works rehabilitated through collaborative efforts with the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC).

“In the last three years, the Niger government has keyed into several partnership programmes with development partners, aimed at addressing lingering issues affecting water supply across the state.

“For the state to have an uninterrupted water supply in Minna metropolis, a total of N263 million will be required to fill up the nine available reservoirs,” he said.

He added that N37 million would be needed for Suleja waterworks, while N17 million would be needed for Kontagora and N6 million for New Bussa waterworks.

Earlier, the commissioner for information and orientation, Obed Nana, explained that the news briefing was a platform to showcase the achievements recorded by the present administration in Niger.

He said the administration had continued to reposition the state for sustainable growth, economic prosperity, and inclusive development.

He commended the media for being part of the development in the state.

Mr Nana urged them to always be objective in their reportage for the collective interest of peace, unity, and development in the state.

(NAN)