From MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI, Keffi
Governor AbdullahiSule of Nasarawa State, has flagged-off the construction of the Keffi Square and a neighborhood market to boost the socio-economic activities of the area.
Sule, while speaking at the occasion, said that the projects were also initiated to improve the revenue base of the state and Keffi Local Government as well.
According to him, the neighbourhood market have been designed to have over 500 lockup shops, while the square will have more than 1,400 capacity seats.
‘“I am not just fulfilling the campaign promises which I made to the people of Keffi, but it is also a dream come true’ he stated emphatically.
“The Keffi Square and the neighborhood market are to enhance the socioeconomic activities of the people of Keffi and the state at large and improve their standard of living,” he further stated.
The Governor therefore urged the contractor handling the projects, Canonic Associates, to adhere strictly to project specifications, ensure quality jobs and complete them before the end of the year.
“This project is expected to be completed at the end of this year. I urge the contractor to adhere strictly to project specifications and ensure quality jobs,” he assured.
The governor also used the occasion to pray for God’s intervention in the COVID-19 pandemic, saying however the people should adhere strictly to the safety measures given to them by health care providers in other to keep themselves away from the consequences of contracting the disease.
Architect and Consultant to Canonic Associates, ShehuTukur while giving the overview of the projects assured of quality jobs.
In his welcome speech the Chairman of Keffi Local Government Council, Alhaji Abdulrahman Maigoro commended the governor for the projects, saying that it was a fulfillment of his campaign promises which he believed would go a in long way significantly improving the revenue generation capacity of not only the state but the local government as well as enhance the socio-economic activities of people in the area.
The chairman therefore assured the governor of the support of the people of the area to his administration to enable succeed in the task of taking the state to the next level.
Our man reports that the occasion was graced by some dignitaries, including Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (APC- Nasarawa West), Dr Shehu Chindo-Yamusa, the Emir of Keffi and members of the State Executive Council who assured their support for the success of the present administration in the state.
The Nigerian Standard also reports that the projects were awarded at the cost of over N1.6 billion.
State governors tasked on RUGA establishment
From MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI, Keffi
State Governors have been tasked to as a matter of urgency to embark on the rural grazing area (RUGA) as proposed by the Federal Government with a view to boosting animal production and ensure peaceful co-existence amongst the agricultural communities in the country.
The National Chairman of the Miyatti Allah Kautal – Horea Fulani Socio-Cultural Association, Alhaji Bello Badejo gave the task while speaking with newsmen at the National Headquarters of the Association in Tudun Wada Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State during the week.
According to him, the Governors should strive to emulate the efforts of their Kano and Niger State counterparts whom he said have made a steady progress in that regards which he believed would yield a significant amount of socio-economic benefits to the people of their states and the country as a whole.
The Fulani leader who expressed the confidence that the programme if properly implemented by the various state governments would apart from solving the persistent farmer/herders clashes also help to significantly diversify their socio-economic activities and that of the country as a whole.
Badejo who expressed concern over the delays by the various state governments especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria like Nasarawa State, stressed the need for them to wake – up from their slumber and begin the implementation of the programme.
He believed that the implementation of the RUGA programme would contribute immensely in the diversification of the economy that solely depended on petroleum which has recently been hit by the corona virus pandemic that affects all parts of the world, saying that apart from creating dependable sources of wealth and job opportunities as well as foreign exchange for the country and also create ways for industrialization.
The leader of the Fulani who assured that on their part they would always be ready to support any state government who keyed into the programme, stated that their members would be mobilized to move into the areas and begin their activities for the success of the programme.
Badejo then assured his members of the association’s commitment to continue to support and protect their interest adding that this would be done within the confines of the law of the land as citizens of the country.
He however warned the unnecessary pushing blames or stereotyping the Fulani communities on various crimes committed by some undesirable elements saying that the people should always strive to verify facts before putting blames so as to separate chaffs from the grains.
While congratulating the Federal and various state governments for democracy day and other achievements recorded here and there, he appealed to the citizens to continue to be patient and support the various governments in place to enable them succeed in the task ahead with a view to achieve the desired success.
