The Executive Chairman of Awe Local Government Area, Hon. Usman Umar has commended Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for locating the ten thousand hectares in Jangwa, to be deployed for farming activities as part of the state government’s initiatives to improve food security in the country.
Hon. Umar made the commendation in a chat with journalists in Lafia on Tuesday.
The Chairman said Awe has never had it so good as under the present administration of Governor Sule, especially with the siting of the 68, 000 hectares Dangote Sugar plantation and now the additional 10, 000 hectares to be cultivated by the state government.
“We have never been lucky like this present dispensation. Even before he became Governor, he brought Dangote to Awe. Today, we are speaking of another farm measuring about 10, 000 hecatares. This is not a small venture. Even the approach the state government is taking in establishing the farm, the people of Awe cannot thank Governor Sule more,” he stated.
Commenting on the benefits that would come to Awe as a result of the state government’s initiatives, Hon. Umar said the benefits are too numerous to be counted.
“Even the road leading to the farm, which was initially constructed by the present administration, would be further improved to be able to accommodate heavy traffic. We learned that those handling the farm project would train Awe youths for three months on commercial farming. The advantages of locating the farm in Awe are enormous. It’s a thing of pride for us,” he said.
The council chairman expressed satisfaction that the people of the area did not turn out enmasse to elect the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the last elections as they continue to witness more dividends of democracy.
On his efforts geared towards ensuring needed peace in the area, Hon. Umar said he is always putting his best, especially with the continued support from Governor Sule.
“He gave us marching orders to ensure we provide adequate security and peace in our domains. Our strategy involves engaging with members of the various community leaders and representatives of the youths, herdsmen, and farmers, especially Tiv farmers.
“This is even more so at such a moment as now with the farming season at hand. It is to be expected that there could be misunderstanding between farmers and herders over farmlands. It’s at this moment that I intensify surveillance by security agencies and critical stakeholders so that we go round the council to talk to the people on the significance of peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Hon. Umar used the opportunity to futher appreciate Governor Sule over the numerous other projects sited in the council, particularly the recent intervention from the NG-CARES programme in the areas of education, health, roads, wet markets, solar-powered boreholes and VIP toilets.
He thanked Governor Sule for constructing various projects under the NG-CARES programme in Azara, Awe, Ribi, Kanje, and Mahanga, stressing that each of these communities in Awe Local Government Area benefited from either of the interventions in education, health, roads, wet markets, solar-powered boreholes or VIP toilets.
The council chairman specifically commended the Governor for undertaking the construction of the Tsohon Tunga Ribi Road (15.9km), as well as the Awe – Ampana (6.6km), amongst others.