Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has stated that adopting and tapping into the green economy in the state will boost its internally generated revenue (IGR).
He expressed concern that 82% of people are going through multidimensional poverty in education, health, security, portable drinking water, and sanitation.
He further stated that a green economy would facilitate the use of renewable energy, thereby reducing overdependence on the national grid, promoting agriculture, and increasing employment opportunities for youths in the state.
The governor made the disclosure during the technical session of the first Niger State Green Economy Summit held in Minna, the state capital.
While explaining the advantages of tree planting considering the land mass and arable land in the state, the governor said harnessing a green economy will move the state from largely depending on federal allocations.
The governor, who urged Nigerlites to key into his administration's vision for sustainable economic growth, assured that the state government will provide an enabling environment for youths to understand the equation for self-reliance and sustainable development.
He disclosed that plans are underway to create farm cities using renewable properties, adding that youths will be gainfully employed in the construction of farmhouses.
To achieve his initiative of cultivating 10,000 hectares in each of the 25 local government areas, governor Umaru Bago said the state will procure hardware that will prepare the land.
According to the governor, “it is time for all hands to be on deck to change the narratives. We don't have a reason to be poor. We are agrarian, and we are very proud of it".
He said the summit would be an annual event to make the state an agricultural hub.
The technical session featured presentations, panel discussions, and question-and-answer segments.