While the people of Niger State wallow in poverty, the State government is set to spend over N2.4bn on construction of a state mosque and a Christian place of worship.
The state government is also committing N36.4 million to the completion of Paiko Community Jumat mosque in memory of the late Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Alhaji Aminu Yusuf.
The bizzaire move, the state said would enhance religious tolerance, in a state where social services and infrastructure are prostrate.
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The worship centres are to be situated at the 3 Arms Zone where the government is planning to relocate the three arms of government.
Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Shehu Haruna, said that construction works on the two sites will commence before the end of the year.
Haruna said each of the worship centres will cost a little over N1.2 billion, adding they will be handed over to Christian and Muslim leaders after completion for management.
He further disclosed that a hotel of international standard will also be constructed at the three arms zone under the Public Private Partnership (PPP).
It will be recalled that the Niger State government had earlier taken over the completion of the Tunga Jumat Mosque and the First ECWA Church Minna.
Both projects abandoned for over 20 years cost the government about N90m.