Why Nasarawa ‘ll not join any protest-Governor Sule
….Commissions roads valued at N5. 4bn, travelers market
…As Senator Al-makura calls on citizens to support Tinubu
Governor Abdullahi Sule has said that the people of Nasarawa State have no business joining any protest, especially with the various interventions coming to the people from both his administration and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Governor Sule made this known shortly before commissioning the 23km Kokona-Agwada Road valued at N3.2bn on Friday, shortly after his return to the country from his trip to China.
According to the governor, the people of the state have no reason whatsoever to join any protest because of what his administration is doing to better the lots of the citizens of the state.
He disclosed that as part of the continuous efforts of his administration to cater to the welfare and well-being of the citizens, particularly civil servants, his administration will commence the payment of the new minimum wage from May this year with full implementation in August.
Not only that, Governor Sule announced that his administration will also pay three months arrears for the months of May, June and July.
While recalling that he was the first to make a commitment to pay the new minimum wage once it becomes operational, with the state already saving towards the new wage bill since from May this year, the governor said he will clear the three month arrears in August.
“The reason why I made the commitment is because from May we have already started saving every month towards that. Because once the National Assembly passes the new minimum wage into law, what we are going to do first, in the month of August by the grace of God, is to pay the arrears first for May, June and July. Once we do that then we can go ahead and address the new wage starting from August by grace of God,” he said.
He explained that at every available opportunity, his administration has always intervened with a view to reducing the hardships being experienced by the people.
“In reality, every time we have the opportunity, we give to the people. We shared palliatives to the people. We are sharing Kudin A. A Sule every month. We have been promoting agriculture, we have promoting employment, we are doing everything that a serious administration could do to reduce the hardships on the people,” he added.
Governor Sule pointed out that throughout his recent trip to India and China, the people of those countries have shown interest in Nasarawa State, adding that is why the people should show appreciation to President Tinubu for selecting the state amongst seven others to host the Green City project.
He said for all of these reasons and more, Nasarawa State has no reason whatsoever to join any protest. Instead, the people of the state should be ambassadors of peace.
“Throughout my trip to China and a week ago, India, people in those countries have been showing interest in Nasarawa State. That is the reason why we have to thank Mr. President for agreeing to select our state out of seven states that have been following up on the issue of Green City to be done in Nigeria. Nasarawa State has been selected to host that Green City. With all these things that are coming to us, we are the last people that will even think of anything protest. Because we have no reason for a protest,” he said.
He added that his administration is not owing any civil servant either salary or allowances, stressing that just this month, he approved and released additional one billion naira to clear the gratuities of retirees from 2011.
“Just this month, I released another one billion naira to offset the gratuities of retirees from 2011. We have paid all gratuities from 1996 to 2010. Now we are paying 2011. Why are we even thinking of protest? Nasarawa State does not belong to protest, and we will not have it here,” he said.
Governor Sule said his administration will soon award the contract for the construction of two more roads in Kokona Local Government Area namely the Kurmin Shinkafa-Amba-Angoro-Bassa Road, earlier started by his grandfather, the late Alhaji Kachalla Gudi and the Agwada-Udege Road.
He used the opportunity of the event to thank his two predecessors who attended the event, appreciating them for their continued support to both his administration and the people of Nasarawa State.
The governor also commissioned the 4.5km asphalt Gudi Township Road network valued at N2.196bn, as well as the Gudi Travelers Market meant to stop indiscriminate hawking by children especially along the busy Akwanga-Keffi expressway.
He said the Gudi Travelers Market is a pilot project to be replicated in Mararaba Alushi and Karu, which would lead to the banning of hawking by the roadside by children.
This is just as the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, appealed to Nigerians to support the administration of President Tinubu and to give peace a chance.
Speaking as the special guest at the event, Al-makura called on particularly the youths to appreciate and support the administration of President Tinubu towards ensuring good governance and the development of the country.
He then charged leaders and critical stakeholders to spread the message of hope in order to give peace a chance in the country.
“I feel a need to appreciate the situation in which we are and give all the necessary support to bring about peace in this country. We are all elders, we are all parents. We are all leaders in our own rights. We know people to appeal to. Please let’s give peace a chance,” he said.
He appreciated Governor Sule for his focus and vision to isolate those projects that would have multiplier effects to the benefiting communities, adding that Kokona-Agwada Road is a project that will fast track development.
First civilian governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, in a goodwill message, highlighted on the economic and social benefits of the newly commissioned road to the people of the area.
Represented by the Vice Chancellor of the Phoenix University Agwada, Professor Bala Abdullahi, the immediate past national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), appreciated Governor Sule for not only constructing the Kokona-Agwada Road but also for sponsoring 92 indigenes of the state to undertake studies in various courses at the university, as well as undertaking to construct a befitting sports facility in the institution.
