Niger/Inauguration of the Birnin N'Gaouré market coupled with the launch of a fair: Promoting grassroots investment and women's entrepreneurship to boost the local economy
Birni N'Gaouré's economy will certainly be boosted and fruitful for the rest of its existence. This is due to the acquisition of a central market built by the UNDP, the keys to which were handed over to the authorities on Friday May 3, 2024 at a ceremony organized for this purpose. The reception of this jewel was coupled with the launch of a fair in honor of women, initiated as part of the commemoration of National Women's Day celebrated on May 13. The total cost of building the various infrastructures that make up the new market is 284,281,812 Fcfa.
On the morning of Friday May 03, 2024, a human tide of men, women and children converged on the Birni weekly market, which has undergone a structuring transformation with great hope and enthusiasm. For the occasion, several personalities made the trip to Birni N'Gaouré, including the Minister of National Education, Literacy, Vocational Training and the Promotion of Women.enseignement Professionnel et de la Promotion des Langues Nationales, Dr Elisabeth Shérif, the Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, Public Security and Territorial Administration, M. Samaila Idi Dan Bouzou, the UNDP Country Representative for Niger, Dr. Nicole Flora Kouassi, the Governor of the Dosso region, Brigadier General Iro Oumarou, the promoter of the innovative fair, etc.
Financed to the tune of 284,281.812F Cfa as part of a pilot project designed to help women-led communes strengthen their capacity to mobilize internal resources, the market comprises 12 modern sheds, 12 stores of 12m2, 22 stores of 6m2, 22 stores of 9m2, 9 stores of 10m2, a fencing walla warehouse with a storage capacity of 144 tons, 2 latrines, the laying of 130 linear meters of paving stone, a 120m pipeline, an administrative block, two loading and unloading bays and the electrification of the site. Through the modernization of this market, the town of Birni N'Gaouré becomes a commercial crossroads that contributes to the development of the Dosso region and Niger in general.
During the ceremony, the Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, Public Security and Territorial Administration, Mr. Idi Dan Bouzou, presented the project. Idi Dan Bouzou, recalled that Birni N'Gaouré, the city of the Lamido, is a long-standing partner of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) which, in addition to the market, has carried out several projects and provided support in various fields to improve the living conditions of the population. For example, the city has benefited directly from PUND support for the modernization of its internal management system, the refurbishment of its head office, the construction of a new building, and the construction of a new building.ning of its head office, solar electrification, computer equipment, the acquisition of a vacuum cleaner, a refrigerated truck, etc. "In addition to all these benefits, several other projects support women and young people in their activities dedicated to the economic empowerment of women and young people. These investments are perfectly in line with the Programme de la résilience pour la sauvegarde de la patrie (PRSP) (Resilience Program for the Safeguarding of the Homeland) to achieve the objectives of our country's authorities".said the Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, Public Security and Territorial Administration, Mr. Samaila Idi Dan Bouzier. Samaila Idi Dan Bouzou.
"Birni N'Gaouré fair in honor of Nigerien women
With regard to the fair, the authorities present for the occasion praised the efforts of the initiators and encouraged them to persevere. In addition to showcasing the sale of handicrafts and agro-sylvo-pastoral plant processing products, the fair is also an opportunity to build women's capacity through presentations on various themes, such as processing, conservation, standardization and certification of key sectors.
For ten days, from May 3 to 13, women from all regions of Niger will have the opportunity to exhibit and sell their products. Panels will be led by experts and resource persons, on women's entrepreneurship as a lever for sustainable development for a sovereign Niger, etc. The importance of this event is clear: beyond its economic aspect, a session for issuing civil status documents is also taking place on the same site, to enable people to regain their rights. All these initiatives contribute to promoting grassroots investment and women's entrepreneurship to boost the local economy.
"The organization of this fair is no coincidence, as May is also Nigerian Women's Month. This fair is an opportunity to celebrate women. Beyond the aspect of women's empowerment, this fair also consecrates our country's commitment to the development of the most active segments of society, namely women and young people", pointed out Mr. Samaila Idi Dan Bouzou.
For her part, the UNDP Country Representative in Niger, Dr. Nicole Flora Kouassi, welcomed the participants. Nicole Flora Kouassi highlighted the various achievements of her institution for the benefit of the Nigerien population and particularly those of the commune of Birni N'Gaouré, which has benefited since 2017 from the rehabilitation of the market and several structuring projects. This support, she reports, is part of our shared commitment to local economic development and community empowerment. "By enabling the women's groups supported to promote and sell their products, the UNDP is opening up new prospects for economic and social inclusion and prosperity for all," she said.clarified, adding that the Birni N'Gaouré market is a sustainable source of income, if well managed, as it is much frequented by merchants from Niger and neighboring countries alike. "It's a symbol of economic dynamism and social connectivity. On this day dedicated to their recognition, we not only celebrate their achievements, but are committed to creating an environment conducive to their future flourishing," he assured us. their future development", assured the UNDP Country Representative, before adding that the choice of Birni N'Gaouré as the venue for the Fair was no accident. "This commune, located in the heart of Niger, represents a microcosm of the challenges and opportunities facing the country. In a context marked by socio-economic, climatic-environmental and security constraints, the women who run this fair stand as pillars of resilience and development. Their determination and ingenuity are a source of inspiration to us all. This year, our goal is to reach more than a million people with resilience and economic empowerment skills", explains Dr. Nicole Flora Kouassi to the massive crowd who turned out to welcome her.
To end the inaugural ceremony on a high note, the Commune Urbaine de Birni N'Gaouré signed an agreement with the UNDP covering a whole range of interventions that both parties intend to implement as a continuation of what is already underway, but which will also concern areas of importance to the local community.These include hygiene, sanitation and waste management, modernization and improvement of living conditions, and access to energy services through renewable energies. To this end, three (3) refrigerated trucks were handed over to the authorities on behalf of three Niger communes.
Source: www.msn.com/fr-xl/
