Minimum Wage Implementation Greatest Mistake of My Administration, Cargo Airport Project, A Forgone Dream-Al-Makura

Rabiu Omaku

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has maintained that his administration would not embark on any bogus project as far as he pilot the mantle of leadership of the state, he stated this during a media chat held at the state owned broadcast station, the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service marking this year’s democracy day.

Al-Makura when asked about the progress on the ongoing Cargo International Airport, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura said the widely criticized cargo International airport, Lafia he said it now a forgone dream as of this moment due to the lean resource of the state as he said the state Government has made a U-turn by embarking on airstrip.

The Governor Grumble Over Shortfall Of N800m

The Governor lamented that there was sly shortfall from the state allocation of N800m, he asserted that the state received allocation of N1.4b federal grant as against the N2.2bn

Al-Makura Confesses Over the Implementation of New Minimum Wage

Nasarawa state Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura described the implementation of the new national minimum wage as a greatest mistake of the administration under his headship.

While fielding questions by Journalist on the welfare of workers following the agitation by civil servants in the state over absence of promotion, annual increment and leave grant, he described the demands of workers as flimsy and frivolous.

“Should I pay civil servants half salary, annual increment, promotions and leave grant?”

saying civil servants in the state constitute only one percent of the populace, adding that he would not be a pay master while projects that have direct impact on the lives of the citizenry litters.

What Governor Al-Makura Said About Nigerian Newsday Newspaper

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has revealed that the state Government is operating at a loss with the existence of the state owned tabloid, Nigerian Newsday, Al-Makura expressed shock over the quality of production carry out by the publishing company, he further said the state Government spends a whooping N7m on workers salary which he described as a wasteful venture.

“We spend N7m monthly without making more than N700, 000,the company have well trained reporters but my problem is the quality of newspaper that I’m not impress about”.

“I will prefer to interphase with Eggon news and be paying them monthly than the low quality of newspapers produced by Nigerian Newsday”.

Al-Makura opined that the workers are being paid, he said  even with the winding-off of the company workers are benefiting their monthly salaries, saying the welfare of workers remain his utmost priority.

The Governor said arrangement is on the pipeline to come up with possible ways of addressing the situation.

Al-Makura Constructed 200Km Asphalt Road

The Governor in his policy statement uncovered that his regime constructed 200Km asphalt road cut across the length and breadth of the state, he disclosed that over 350Km feeder and surface dressing were constructed in the three senatorial district, saying only Kokona and Keana are yet to benefit from the olive branches of the state Government.