Olayiwola Matthew
The Federal Government has secured about N250 billion for the development of light rail projects in Kaduna and Kano states.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Monday in Abuja at a world press conference on Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
The minister said President Bola Tinubu is interested in seeing massive development at the sub-national levels.
“Contrary to the perception being pushed at some quarters, this administration has demonstrated uncommon commitment to balanced and inclusive development since assuming office,” Idris said.
“The distribution of capital projects under President Tinubu is equitable. No zone is taking a back seat.
“The Federal Government is actively supporting various sub-national infrastructure projects,
“For instance, the light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna states, which are to the tune of N150 billion and N100 billion, respectively, have been secured.
“Local Government Areas are also being fiscally reintegrated as catalysts for growth and development, with the financial autonomy that the President is determined to fully make operational.”
The Minister explained that all state governments now receive multiples of the revenue they hitherto got from the federation account.
“Thanks to the increased headroom from the oil subsidy removal, the sub-national governments are now able to do a lot more and with less debt,” Idris said.