Saturday, January 18, 2025 10:39 am
NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
The Nasarawa State government says establishing the State Economic Council was simply for collaborative purposes. The council, going by the law passed by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, is headed by the deputy governor, with membership drawn from the leadership of the councils and other stakeholders. Speaking on a matter relating to the autonomy of the local councils during a press briefing in Lafia on Friday, Hon. Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs said the government is compliant with the judgment which grants full autonomy to local government areas in Nigeria. “This is not an issue in contention. The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, has given a ruling on this matter. The government of Nasarawa State led by Engr. An Asule has completely implemented that judgment by allowing them full autonomy. But don’t forget that you cannot detach them from the State.,” he said adding that “There must be collaboration between the States and local government areas, including this constitution of a five-man committee to audit the workforce of the local government areas.”
Ahemba said that thus far, the SEC has taken several decisions to guide the operational collaborative areas between the two tiers of government. These, he said include the setting up of a five-man member committee to ascertain the exact staff strength of the thirteen local government councils. This he said will help the government to know the employees in its services. Also, the SEC resolved that councils acquire land to key into the food security initiatives of the State government. “That way, the government will be sure that there will be food for both local and international consumption. The State Economic Council’s resolve is to help the councils do the same at their levels. To help them achieve this dream, the State governor, Engr. A.A. Sule recently acquired tractors which were distributed to the local government areas during the one-day visit of the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima,” Ahemba noted.
The government spokesman also addressed issues relating to the visit of the Vice President two weeks ago, the government’s response to the invasion of Tatara Community by unidentified gunmen as well as dissolution of the State Executive Council by Governor Sule. Ahemba said the Vice President in the State laid the foundation for constructing a one-stop Nasarawa State Investment office with a multi-door arbitration office. Shettima also distributed palliatives to victims of disasters in the State. He also presided over the graduation ceremonies of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational Centre, Lafia. All of these, the SSA said are being moved forward by the State government.
He announced that the State government has made provisions for the takeoff of a super military camp in Tatara to curtail both communal clashes and other attacks. He also announced that relevant agencies of government are looking into allegations of improper acquisition of land [in Jangwa Community, in Awe Local Government Area, where government ten-hectare rice farm is located] by the government for its farming projects. He informed the pressmen that if established, the infringement would be redressed, accordingly.
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