The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ahmad Yandi, shared this information on Monday in Gusau.

Yandi, who spoke before the special session of the House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, mentioned that the project would improve the status of the traditional rulers.

Meanwhile, Governor Dauda Lawal presented the state budget of N423.5 billion to the assembly for approval on Thursday.

Yandi, defending his ministry's budget before the committee, explained that it was part of the government's policy to upgrade the status of the traditional institution in the state.

“Other projects to be implemented in the budget are expansion of the ministry’s complex, and local government service commission office among others”, he added.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Shehu Baraya, said over N140 billion was earmarked for roads and other infrastructure projects in the state.

“The projects include ongoing reconstruction of major roads in Gusau metropolis under the state government urban renewal policy.

“Construction of drainages and other infrastructure projects across the 14 LGAs of the state.

“The earmarked funds for the projects to be implemented by the ministry represent 34 percent of the total 2024 appropriation of the state”, Baraya said.

He explained that the urban renewal project was to provide necessary infrastructure to attract more investors to the state.

Speaking to newsmen after defending his ministry’s budget, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Kabiru Moyi, said they proposed to construct an economic city on the outskirts of Gusau, the state capital.

Moyi said that over N10 billion was earmarked in the  budget to fund the economic city project.