The Niger State Government has secured a $150 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to finance a $160 million solar power project to boost renewable energy development and create employment opportunities in the state.
Chairman of the New Niger Development Project (NNDP), Abubakar Mustapha, disclosed this during the second edition of the quarterly media briefing organised by the Niger State Ministry of Information and Orientation in Minna.
Mustapha explained that the solar project will be located in Maikunkele, while the Niger State Government will provide the remaining $10 million as counterpart funding.
He attributed the successful loan acquisition to the state government’s prudent management and effective implementation of the Minna-Bida Road Project, which enhanced the confidence of the Islamic Development Bank in the state’s capacity to execute major infrastructure projects.
According to him, the solar power project will go beyond electricity generation, as it includes social intervention programmes designed to improve the livelihoods of residents and stimulate economic growth.
“This project will create direct and indirect jobs and will bring many other benefits to the people of Niger State,” he said.
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Mustapha further explained that the New Niger Development Project was established under Executive Order No. 30 of 2023 to support the implementation of projects across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by addressing gaps that could hinder timely and successful execution.
He said the agency also plays a key role in ensuring that issues relating to compensation are handled efficiently through collaboration with relevant stakeholders, thereby facilitating seamless project implementation.
The NNDP Chairman added that the agency’s workforce was carefully drawn from various MDAs to provide the technical expertise required to ensure transparency, accountability and value for money in the execution of government projects.
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