…to construct 15km of road in each LGA, others
Following the windfall of about N13.6bn that accrued to the state from the NG-CARES programme, Governor Abdullahi Sule has sought the collaboration of stakeholders from the state to buy-in and own the projects tied to the funds that would be executed in the state.
Governor Sule made the call during a meeting with stakeholders drawn from across the state, at the Government House on Monday.
The Governor particularly called on the stakeholders to own the projects that would be carried out from the windfall, which include 15 km of roads in each of the 13 local government areas of the states, boreholes amongst others.
He assured that his administration would utilize the funds judiciously and in line with stipulated guidelines.
“There is a programme called NG-CARES. This programme was derived after the Covid-19. The World Bank, as well as the Federal Government, got into a partnership about a certain amount of money that should be given to states that performed in one aspect or the other. The states formed committess that have been working on that. The first disbursement of this amount of money was 135bn, which was given to all the states in the federation.
“I am happy to announce to you that Nasarawa State came first. And Nasarawa State got 13.6bn. And the money that is given to us is already in our account. And the money will go into various areas of distribution. The reason why I found it extremely important to hold such a meeting is because so many things were mentioned about Nasarawa State when that money was being given,” he stated.
Governor Sule said the meeting with stakeholders became necessary because NG-CARES believed that in Nasarawa State the windfall would be utilized judiciously.
“That is a heavy statement that I am taking seriously, and that explains why I am calling for this meeting. I want every one of us to take this matter seriously. I had a meeting already with the team from NG-CARES this morning. I called their attention and asked them to come and work in tandem with all of us,” he said.
He pointed out that the most important thing is for the state to utilize these resources so that the people who have this level of confidence in Nasarawa State would continue to maintain that type of confidence afterwards.
“I am pleading with our stakeholders who are here, to help us by taking responsibility in ensuring that whatever job these people are carrying out, let us take it as our own responsibility to check and ensure that job is being done in line with the laid down guidelines. “And let us take ownership of these projects so that the next time Nasarawa State comes tops again. I am looking forward to especially our royal fathers and political office holders, especially chairmen of local government who would be there also,” he added.
He explained that he has tried to remove himself from selecting where the projects would be cited, leaving the responsibility to the stakeholders who may be closer to the people and know much about their areas of need.
“I have tried as much as possible to stay outside of it. As far as it’s in Nasarawa State, it’s my state. It doesn’t matter where. I don’t want to be at the forefront of telling them where to site the project. I am trying to avoid that. Whatever would be chosen is for Nasarawa State. But I am sure our leaders, you are more familiar with the roads that are more dearing to the people,” he said.
Governor Sule added that another cogent reason for holding the meeting, is for the stakeholders to strategize on the method of selecting 625 persons from each of the 13 local government areas for enrollment as agents for the N25, 000 monthly presidential palliative as recently announced by President Bola Tinubu.
“As you are aware, Mr President has made the pronouncement that there is going to be a palliative of N25000 which is going to be given to the poorest of the poor. Now, before that is done, there is going to be an exercise that would be carried out by 625 people in each local government area. This 625 people are going to carry out the exercise of going in to the rural areas and villages and across all the parts of the state, and bringing out the poorest of the poor who would benefit from the programme,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the 625 persons are also going to liaise with the National Identity Management Comission (NIMC) that is playing a pivotal role in carrying out the exercise.
The Governor emphasized on the need for fairness in selecting the beneficiaries of the scheme who would also form part of the data base for the new social register in the country.
He therefore said it has become necessary to meet with the stakeholders in order to deliberate on the approach for the selection of the 625 agents per each local government area.
The Governor outlined the key prerequisites before someone could qualify to be an agent to that such persons must be literate, they must be IT compliant, they must have a National Indentification Number (NIN) and they must have a bank account.
He pointed out that successful persons would be engaged and paid by the NIMC and would be responsible for going out to capture the poorest of the poor in Nasarawa State who would benefit from the N25000 monthly.
