Focus on Human Welfare, Airport Is Not The Priority of Nasarawa State, Maku Tells Al-Makura

Rabiu Omaku

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA has condemned in strong term the approval of N6.1 billion for the construction of Kwandare -Lafia airport by the state executive council, he described the decision as a misplacement of priority.

Labaran Maku hinted this during the official commissioning of a private radio station in Lafia, Breeze F.M 99:9, the erstwhile minister of Information, Labaran Maku said the position of the state government was anti people’s policy

The governorship candidate of the APGA in 2015 election said lack of sensitivity of the government in power to listen to feelings of the people is a critical hurdle of the ruling party under Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.

He advised the sitting government in the state to consider human welfare above the execution of white elephant projects which does not has direct bearing on the lives of the people of Nasarawa state.

Maku expressed worry over the unabated percentage payment of salary to workers, adding that poverty level in the state is at the highest point as he sympathizes with workers over the enchantment they are passing through.

“The state government should look inward towards the provision of basic infrastructures such as water supply, school, health, promotion and general welfare of the workforce but not on building of bogus project”.

” There is no water in Kokona for the past five years, the same is applicable to Karu, the gate way to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja ,is airport our topmost need now ?

Maku opined that $120m Paris/London club refund was meant to settle backlog of salaries,allowances, pension and gratuity but not for execution of project that are not meaningful to the wellbeing of the citizenry.

“Airport should be later, and even if he insists on airport it should be sited in a suitable location that is friendly like Karu axis or Karshi which will serve as an alternative to Abuja International airport”.

He appealed to workers in Nasarawa state to be prayerful over the trepidation they are passing through right from the inception of the current regime in the state; he said workers are subjected to hardship and agony.

The state commissioner for works and transport, Engr. Yahaya Wada confided the approval of N6.1 billion for the construction of Kwandare-Lafia airport as he asserted that there is no going back over the project.

Wada said the project would open up socio-economic activities if completed, calling on the people of the state to accord topmost support to the incumbent administration in the state.