6th August, 2024
By NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
The Endbadgovernance rocking parts of the country could not thrive in Nasarawa state because the government has already resolved some if the issues that led to the heckling. This was the view canvassed by Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, during a a visit to the offices of the Correspondents Chapel in Lafia on Tuesday.
Ahemba opined that the timely distribution of palliatives to cushion the hardship occasioned by the removal of subsidy on petroleum products, payment of extra income to civil servants and pensioners and other interventions helped to stabilize communities and households, hence the low intensity of the protest in the state
Ahemba who provided clarification on several policies of the administration of Governor Sule, also provided insights on a number of issues, including the alleged diversion of fertilizer meant for distribution to farmers in the State, the State’s wage bill, the necessity of a flyover in Lafia, the State capital, the nexus between solid mineral exploration and communal conflicts, among others.
On the protests, he said, “The protest that was supposed to be about the feelings or the perceived hunger in the country turned out to be a looting spree, from what we witnessed in most states. Thank God in Nasarawa State we didn’t record much incidents of mass protests and looting. Maybe it is because in Nasarawa State, His Excellency has addressed substantially, the issues that led to the nationwide protests, because in Nasarawa State most of the issues being agitated for, are actually issues that have been addressed through the instrumentality of the government of Engr. A. A Sule.
“You are talking about hunger. That is one of those things that led to that protest. In Nasarawa state, the government of Engr. A. A Sule has been able to address that to a large extent through the implementation of certain palliatives that have now been able to address hardship in our communities. So, that accounts for the reason why we witnessed less protests in Nasarawa State. A lot of communities decided that they did not want to come out to protest because Engr. A A. Sule is already doing the needful, so there was no need to stage any protest.”
On the State’s position on the minimum wage recently approved by the Federal government, the government spokesman said the State government is already concluding modalities to commence payment.
“The Federal government led by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the sum of 70, 000 as new minimum wage for workers. In Nasarawa, I can confirm to you that the government of His Excellency, Engineer A. A Sule, is more than ready to pay 70,000 to workers of Nasarawa state. That one is not negotiable. His Excellency has made it clear that whatever was approved by the Federal government, his government is willing to pay. Now that 70, 000 has been approved, a billed sent to the National Assembly, passed and assented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency has no excuse whatsoever not to pay 70,000 minimum wage.
“Government is willing to pay that and modalities are being worked out to commence the payment of 70,000 to workers of Nasarawa state. That one, I can confirm to you authoritatively,” Ahemba noted.
He also said the governor has authorized security agencies to investigate the alleged case of theft of bags of fertilizer mean for distribution to farmers in the State.
He promised that those found culpable will be punished accordingly.
On the recurrent security breaches resulting from communal clashes, Ahemba said the governor is already talking proactive steps, some of which are in partnership with the security agencies to tackle them.
He spoke about measures taken to address the Tiv/Alago crisis in Keana Local Government Area, promising that with Governor Sule’s decision to collaborate with his Benue State counterpart and the National Boundary Commission, that conflict will be resolved permanently.
