Road Construction: Governor Sule challenges Federal Lawmakers to Fast Track FG Support on Road Projects.

By David Odama

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has challenged members of the National Assembly from Nasarawa state, traditional rulers and critical stakeholders especially those representing Lafia, Doma, Nasarawa, Kokona, Keffi and Karu Local Government to brace up to the task of galvanizing Federal Government support towards the construction of Lafia, Doma, Rafin-Gabas, Nasarawa, Orozo, Karshi – FCT Unity road which is long overdue.

The Governor gave the challenge during the flag-off ceremony of the construction of ten (10) kilometers phase one out of the one hundred and sixty-four (164) kilometers total expanse of the road at Tundun-Laraba, in Doma Local Government area of the state at the weekend

Sule noted that the federal road which was first gazetted in 1974 transverses one hundred and seventy-four (174) catchment villages requires collective commitment from critical stakeholders in fast tracking the needed support from the federal government to complete the remaining part of over one hundred kilometers.

“ust like the Andoma has demonstrated here, this road is a unity road and I like that name which Gbefwi Gaza Jonathan has given. There is a lot to be done. Usually, when something goes to the federal government, a lot of people say things and I like what Senator Onawo had said. You know there are a lot of people who had also done so much that may not be seen or may not be heard, but at the end of the day – one thing is certain like my inlaw had once said; the woman sees snake; kill am, the man sees snake kill am, the most important thing is the snake is dead …

“The most important thing about this road that had not yet been completed and until it is completed, The day we have funding for the structures which is the major bridges, the road is connected as one of the bridges is crossing a major river which is going to take more than five (5bn) naira to construct that part ” The Governor asserted.

The Governor also adopted the position of His Royal Highness Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo the Andoma of Doma who called on all the politicians seeking the support of the people of Doma and the adjourning communities to avail their support for the funding of the road as the road when completed would serve as a unifying factor for the people of the state through enhanced socio-economic activities.

” So, I like what the Andoma has said by calling names of those seeking for something from us, and I will help you by giving their names so that they can come and join and be part of this. And I want you to see this road exactly as Gaza has mentioned – it is a unity road and it is going to take a lot of efforts including the state government effort before this road will be completed …

” And by God’s grace, it is my dream because I love challenges and we must thank Mr. President one more time and all of you know me that when things are not going well; I am not afraid to say it. But when things are going well, I am one of the people that will commend those who had done something right …

” So, I think Mr. President has helped us a lot with the resources that we are seeing today. We have improved revenue which had help us construct some of the federal roads in the state like; Shendam road which is a federal road, Nasarawa state government funded it construction a hundred percent …

” The fly-over and the underpass we have in Lafia as well as the one in Akwanga including the dualization are all on federal government roads. Nasarawa state government is funding them a hundred percent without borrowing one naira from any bank ” The Governor explained.

He stressed that all these infrastructural projects springing up were enabled by the improved revenue from the federal government that he is talking about and expressed worry why the local government councils Chairmen had not started payment of the new national minimum wage of seventy (70,000) naira in the state.

Earlier, Honourable Hassan Nalaraba, the member representing Awe, Keana and Doma federal constituency at National Assembly said the importance of the road project cannot be overemphasized considering the numbers of communities along the road.

” We have over one hundred and forty-seven communities along the road as Lafia, Doma, Rafin-Gabas, Nasarawa, Orozo, Karshi to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been a child of necessity. This road was gazetted in 1974 fifty two (52) years ago …

” Your Excellency l, it has become important and imperative to prioritize this particular road as a mark of respect and giving back to the communities what the communities had given to us ” Nalaraba said.

Recounted his re-election campaign promise at palace of Andoma that once he is voted for, he will prioritize the construction of this road for the people of Doma and by extension the people Nasarawa state and the the flag-off ceremony is the fulfilment of that promise.

Nalaraba appreciated members of the National Assembly especially Honourable Gbefwi Gaza Jonathan who first moved the motion for the construction of the road at the flour of the National Assembly and the motion was accorded due prominence.

The House of Representatives Member stressed that he asked that his committee budgetary provisions should be liquidated by the Chairman House Committee on aids, loans and debt management and consolidated into this road project and it was done.

“Your Excellency, whatever you are going to do for your people, constructing a road network is more than whatever you will give to them. When you empower them with motorcycles, they appreciate it, they sell it. When you empower them with grinding machine, they appreciate it, immediately after the event – they sell it …

” But they cannot sell constructed roads. That is why, I told my friend, liquidate whatever budgetary input you are giving my committee to this road and by the special grace of God they appropriated five point six billion (5.6bn) naira into this road project and it is going to take ten (10) kilometers from Doma to wherever the 10 kilometers extends. That is what we are going to be doing at the moment ” He explained.

In his good will remarks, Honourable Gbefwi Gaza Jonathan representing the people of Kokona/ Keffi/Karu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly designated the road as Unity road and appreciated Hon. Hassan Nalaraba for fast tracking the flag-off of the initial 10 kilometers of that road out of 164 kilometers that is required to be constructed.

Gaza advised that a powerful committee made up of; the Governor as the Chairman, traditional rulers from all the adjourning communities, members of the National Assembly of the affected areas and other critical stakeholders.

He stressed that the committees work would be to meet Mr. President, the Senate President, the Speaker National Assembly, Minister of finance and Minister of Works soliciting for accelerated funding of the entire road project moving forward.

On his part, His Royal Highness, Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo the Andoma of Doma harped on sustained efforts on the part of members of the National Assembly from the state in fast tracking the needed funding for this road.

The royal father called on critical stakeholders especially politicians seeking support from the people of the area to join the ongoing efforts aimed at raising funds for the project actualization moving forward.