By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse In a bold move to stimulate grassroots economic development, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has ...
By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse
In a bold move to stimulate grassroots economic development, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has rolled out a multi-million naira empowerment initiative targeted at members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Butchers Association. The scheme, launched at the Dutse Sports Complex, is valued at ₦392.3 million.
The initiative is part of the administration’s broader strategy to strengthen economic actors operating at the informal and trade-based levels—sectors Governor Namadi described as vital to the state’s economy and daily life.
“As trade-based associations, these two organizations serve very important purposes, not just to their members but to society at large. Supporting them is, by extension, supporting the growth, development, and socioeconomic well-being of the people of Jigawa State,” the governor declared at the flag-off event.
Transport Sector Support
The first phase of the scheme involved the distribution of 36 commercial vehicles worth ₦279.3 million—including comprehensive insurance—to members of the NURTW. The vehicles were disbursed under a revolving loan arrangement facilitated by the Jigawa State Youth Economic Empowerment and Employment Agency.
Governor Namadi commended the leadership of the NURTW for their cooperation and urged beneficiaries to ensure proper handling of the vehicles. He emphasized the importance of accountability, urging the union to monitor the use of the vehicles to ensure sustainability of the revolving loan scheme.
He further underscored the importance of the transport union in the state’s logistics chain, saying:
“For any supply chain to function—whether in agriculture, commerce, or manufacturing—the services of NURTW are indispensable.”
The governor linked the empowerment initiative to ongoing infrastructure investments, revealing that over ₦100 billion had been expended on completing 26 inherited road projects. He also disclosed that his administration had awarded contracts for 50 new road projects covering over 850 kilometers, amounting to more than ₦300 billion.
In a further push toward energy sustainability, Namadi announced that a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion center is nearing completion in the state. The center, he said, will support NURTW and other stakeholders in transitioning to cleaner, more cost-effective energy alternatives.
Support for Butchers Association
The second phase of the empowerment programme saw the unveiling of a ₦113 million revolving loan scheme for members of the Jigawa Butchers Association. The scheme targets 53 beneficiaries: 15 major livestock dealers received ₦5 million each, while 38 others received ₦1 million each.
Governor Namadi said the initiative is designed to strengthen the meat production value chain and create ripple effects throughout the livestock sector. “This scheme will improve not only individual livelihoods but also the broader meat market and associated trade networks,” he noted.
Livestock Policy Commitment
In a policy announcement, Governor Namadi revealed plans to establish a Ministry for Livestock Development, which will oversee all aspects of livestock production, including the construction of modern abattoirs and upgrading of local slaughterhouses.
“Our administration is committed to the transformation of all aspects of livestock development in Jigawa State,” he said, reinforcing the government’s intention to institutionalize support for the sector.
With this twin-pronged empowerment scheme, Jigawa State takes a significant step toward economic inclusivity, aiming to uplift informal trade sectors and build a resilient, diversified economy from the ground up.
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