By Correspondent in Minna
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state has expressed sadness over the seeming no-end-in sight to cases of kidnapping by armed bandits in Niger state, assuring the residents, especially the victims that normalcy would soon return to the state.
The Governor,who made his feelings known at the inauguration of 21- kilometre, Suleja-Abuchi-Izom double coated surface dress rural road on Tuesday, also decried the havoc being inflicted on helpless communities across the state which he noted had hampered agricultural activities.
“We are really saddened that we can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed, people are forced to adopt way of life different from what they are used to by armed bandits terrorizing law abiding citizens.
“I am deeply saddened by act of kidnapping and banditry in some areas of the State, hindering economic activities”, Bello said, adding however that concerted efforts were on to secure lives and properties of citizenry.
The Governor, who nevertheless appreciated security agencies for sacrifices in securing the state against the odds, assured them of his continuous logistics support toward the elimination of criminalities and crime in the state.
“We appreciate security agencies for their sacrifices and we will continue to strengthen our local vigilantes as well. We are making concerted effort with security agencies to ensure that law abiding citizens go about their daily businesses unmolested,”he added.
On the commissioned of six rural double coated surface dress road projects, spanning 235kilometres across the three senatorial districts, Governor Bello said it was deliberately embarked upon to boost economic and commercial activities among rural dwellers.
The present administration, he said, was committed toward improving the agricultural value chain in order to empower local farmers,hence the ongoing intra-community road projects that would encourage rural-urban transportation of agricultural produce.
L Bello further told guests that efforts wete also being made to ensure that upgraded feeder roads were properly maintained with the planned setting up of rural road maintenance agency that would ensure that all the roads were routinely maintained.
