Dutse — All over the world, construction work is regarded as a huge employer of labour. In Dutse, the capital of Jigawa, commercial activities have been on the increase in recent times following the resumption of massive construction works and other activities that were embarked upon by various contractors throughout the state.

It was gathered that the massive housing development was part of the determination of the new government to rescue the state from its chronic state of underdevelopment since its creation about 18 years ago

Business Trust observed that the hitherto sedate state capital has been transformed into a beehive of activities as hundreds of people from neighbouring states have been moving into the state in large number to take part in the construction works going on.

Our investigations revealed that the people were coming in to the state to work as labourers in several contracts which have been awarded recently by the state government for the construction of hundreds units of houses at Dan Masara and Shuwarin housing sites.

Residents in Dutse have already taken the advantage of the influx of labourers and contractors in the state and are reaping from the multi billion Naira contracts that is expected to completely change the lives of the people of the state.

Married women were also reaping from the boom in construction as many of them have been engage in catering services by selling of cooked food to the labourers.

Shops and Supermarkets are seen springing up in nooks and crannies of the state as they make brisk businesses while the town has suddenly come to life with other social activities.

The Chairman of the Dutse City Development Authority (DCDA), Alhaji Bashir Aminu (Yariman Dutse) had said at a press conference recently that the new estate was part of the new administration's efforts to jump start the physical development of the state starting from the state capital.

"It is common knowledge that the state is underdeveloped. This administration is however determined to reverse the trend and the DCDA has been given the mandate to initiate the physical development of the capital city. As I talk to you now, we have set in motion, necessary machinery to turn the city into a mega city. We are going to turn Dutse into a mini Abuja", he declared.

He disclosed that the estate would cost about N2 billion but said the state government would involve the private sector in the projects. He further explained that the government had acquired about five hundred hectares of land for several projects and the first five hundred units would be ready by the end of the year, adding the agency would provide the basic infrastructure such that the plots would be ready as site and services plots. "Roads, layouts, water, electricity and other basic infrastructure would be provided by the agency. Then, we would seek private sector participation to set up mortgages for the houses which would be in one, two and three bedroom specifications."

He maintained that the authority was not going to focus on housing alone, noting that several areas of physical development would receive attention before the end of the year. He said a consultant has been appointed already, to design an ultra modern market for the capital to be constructed on BOT terms.

He declared that the government is determined to rescue the state from its present state of underdevelopment by carrying out intensive physical development with adequate attention to the city's original master plan.