Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has said that the state is well endowed with the potentials to be able to exist with or without federal allocation.
The Governor stated this while delivering a speech on the occasion of the maiden media dinner organized by his Directorate of Strategic Communication and Press Affairs, which held at the Taal Conference Hotel on Monday.
Engineer Sule added that Nasarawa State has absolutely no reason whatsoever to rely on federation account, stressing that with initiatives being put him place by his administration and in a few years, the state should be able to take care of her expenses with or without federal allocation.
“Nasarawa State has all the potentials, we have mining, we are called the State of Solid Minerals.
“We have accessibility and proximity to the federal capital, we have people working at the federal capital but are living in our state.
“When you fly from Masaka all the way to Nyanya, if they tell you there are no less than 2m people in Karu alone, it’s not far from reality. Even if this people are paying the minimal of what they should pay in taxes and you are providing the township with something they are seeing, so you are not pocketing it, the Nasarawa State has a great potential,” he stated.
Engineer Sule disclosed that following the determination of his administration to expand the revenue base of the state, particularly in the mining sector, Nasarawa State has now been listed among the three states making up a new mining committee.
He however directed that henceforth every mining activity taking place in the state must involve the state, as well as the communities.
The Governor then used the opportunity of the parley to further clear the air regarding his alleged misunderstanding with his immediate predecessor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura.
Engineer Sule emphasized that he respects Senator Al-makura and have no reason whatsoever to disrespect him.
“Tanko Al-makura has done more than any other governor has done in Nasarawa. And we absolutely have no reason to disrespect him. If you don’t respect that guy, you have no reason to disrespect him,” he said.
The Governor who acknowledged the independence of the media, identifying it as a partner in progress, stressed that his administration has nothing to hide.
Engineer Sule however urged media practitioners to abide by the ethics of the profession by being factual and to shun sensationalism in their reportage.
While commending the directorate headed by it’s Director General, Mallam Yakubu Lamai for initiating the dinner, the Governor said the occasion has provided an opportunity to interact with media practitioners from across the country.
“We believe that the media is actually a partner in progress, we believe that the media is independent, we know that and we respect that. And we don’t want the media to just say what we want them to say, we want the media to say exactly what is there,” he stated.
The maiden press dinner organized by the Governor’s Directorate of Strategic Communication and Press Affairs, brought together personalities from within and outside the state, which include award presentation to some selected media organizations and journalists for their effective coverage of government activities.
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