Niger State Government To Soon Open Babanna International Border Market

In an effort to enhance commercial activities in all parts of Niger state and boost revenue generation of Niger state for economic development, the state government has intensified efforts and strategies to ensure the Babanna International border market become functional in the state.

This is what informed the desire of the state government to organise a stakeholders engagement meeting held in Minna, the state capital to come up with a strategic plans and guidelines that bring a lasting solution for the realisation of the Babanna International border market to boost trade and investment in Niger state and Nigeria in general.

According to the Director General of Niger State Babanna Border Development Agency Mr Muhammed Danladi, highlighted the potentials the state government will get through the project. “Our target is to unlock the vast potentials of our Babanna border fostering economic growth, social cohesion and environmental sustainability. To achieve this, we must work together sharing knowledge, expertise and resources for the economic goals of the Niger state inline with the vision of New Niger of governor Umar Muhammad Bago agenda”.

The Director general also enumerated some of the activities of the agency which includes: “Revenue generation: enhancing revenue collection, promoting trade and stimulating economic activities of Niger state. Supporting farmers, improving productivity and ensuring food security in the state”.

In his remark, the Chairman Borgu local Government Area Mr Suleiman Yerima, has described the stakeholders meeting as apt bearing in mind that the Babanna Border has what it takes to boost revenue generation of Niger state. “This is a welcome development from our local government considering the economic potentials Babanna Boarder has possessed if properly utilized it will go along way in increasing the revenue generation of the local government and the state and with the establishment of the International Border market in Babanna, it will serve a needed economic purpose of the state”.

He pointed out that as Chairman of the the local government council in the Arad he is ready to partner with the agency to ensure the establishment of international boarder market is achieved.

The stakeholders meeting has in attendance representatives of the Nigerian Custom service, Nigerian immigration service and other paramilitary personnel’s as well as traditional rulers of Borgu land.

The theme of this year’s meeting, unlocking the Border potentials of the new Niger is seen by many as a right step in the economic pursuit of Niger state government.

Olusola Akintonde