…discloses steps taken to restore peace in Toto LGA
In continuation of the distribution of palliative across the state, Governor Abdullahi Sule was in Akwanga, headquarters of Akwanga Local Government Area to give succour to the people of the area through the sharing of bags of 7.5kg rice, as well as five thousand naira cash gift to each beneficiary.
Governor Sule who personally supervised the exercise in Akwanga, on Thursday, used the opportunity of the event to reply his critics, especially those who continously spread false and misleading information about his administration.
The Governor urged the people not to pay heed to his detractors because his administration is transparent and accountable to the people.
“Your son, A. A Sule is not a thief and he will not be a thief. All the money we received, we will show everybody what we received,” he said.
According to him, his is going round the state to distribute 7.5kg bags of rice alongside five thousand naira each to one hundred vulnerable persons drawn from the 147 electoral wards across the 13 local government areas of the state.
He said this was made possible because Nasarawa State is receiving improved federation allocation following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
While noting that the removal of the fuel subsidy has brought about hardships and economic challenges, Governor Sule assured that President Tinubu and governors like him, are working round the clock to address the prevailing hardships.
“I want to assure you that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is aware of these hardships, and he is doing a lot to come up with policies and programmes to support and cushion the effects of these hardships.
“To be fair to the President, the money being saved from the subsidy removal, the Nasarawa State Government has been getting improved revenue. I have been saying this since last year. And we have been displaying exactly what we are doing with the money,” he stated.
The Governor however decried the relentless criticism especially from his home local government area, where the social media is being used to try to discredit his administration.
He specifically dismissed reports trending on social media indicating that his administration collected N96bn as subvention for the month of February, saying it’s not true that such amount ever came to the state.
“But in reality, our people, especially here in my home of Akwanga, are experts in social media. You will see all kinds of social media stories. I want you to pay less attention to some of these social media stories,” he said.
Governor Sule explained that, as a result of the improved federation allocation, his adadministration has embarked on a multifaceted approach in order to alleviate the plight of the people currently experiencing hardship and economic challenges.
As part of this initiative, he said he recently approved one billion naira in order to clear the longstanding gratuity of retirees from 1996 to 2010. He also approved N500m and N250 for the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NSHIA) and Nasarawa State Drugs Revolving Scheme respectively, to facilitate for vulnerable persons access to healthcare and affordable, quality drugs.
The Governor explained further that, as someone coming from the private sector, it’s the goal of his administration to teach the people how to catch fish and not to be giving them fish.
“As somebody who came from the private sector, my ultimate goal is not to be giving handouts. My ultimate goal is teach people how to fish rather than give them fish.
“The goal is in the area of agriculture that we are supporting our farmers, providing youths with technical and vocational training. That is why you will see that 50 students that got first class degree at Fulafia and 33 at NSUK we trained them so that they can acquire some skills whether in wielding, carpentry, fabrication, building, electrical installation, refrigeration, agriculture, etc. And then we give them a working capital so that they use the skills to become independent financially,” he added.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress being recorded at the Second Chance School, built in order to give another chance for girls that married early and were forced to cut short their educational pursuit.
The Governor expressed confidence that his administration would grace the graduation of about 800 trainees of the school, stressing that each of them would be given working capital to start their own businesses.
He therefore, called on the people to not to pay attention to those who take delight in criticizing his administration by churning out false and misleading information which they try to attribute to his administration.
Governor Sule equally used the opportunity of the event to speak on the steps being taken to address the unfortunate incidence that occurred in Katakpa in Toto Local Government Area, where several lives were lost as a result of communal clashes involving the Egbirra and Bassa ethnic groups.
While decrying the loss of lives cutting across various ethnic groups from the incidence, he condoled with the Chun Mada, HRH Samsom Gamu Yare, over the killing of some Mada sons and daughters.
The Governor said he met with key stakeholders from Toto Local Government Area led by the Ohimege Opanda, HRH Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, with a view to proffering solution to the crisis engulfing Katkpa, especially with both the Egbirras and Bassas claiming the area as their ancestral homes.
He announced that a military base is being established at Katakpa with a view to restoring peace in the area.
He made known plans by his administration to support identified victims of the recent conflict in Katakpa.
In a welcome address, Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha, expressed gratitude to Governor Sule for his passion to reach out to the people especially at their time of need.
Hon. Andaha used the opportunity of the event to remind the people of the development strides recorded by the present administration under leadership of Governor Sule, especially the relative peace being enjoyed across the state.
The local government Chairman pointed out what the Governor has delivered in Akwanga to include the Moroa-Gudi, Nunku-Agyaga, Andaha-Bayan Dutse, Andaha-Ancho rural roads, as well as three intra-city roads within Akwanga, the ultra modern VIP Lodge, and the neighborhood market.