Our Nasarawa state Correspondent, Rabiu Omaku writes on the commitment of the three elected governors comparing the three in different sectors of human endeavor, this write-up also exhumed the successes and challenges and the way forward.
Nasarawa state like her counterpart of Gombe state was created on the first of October,1996 by the then head of state, General Sani Abacha and the first military administrator of the state, Wing Commander,Abdullahi Ibrahim steer the baton of the young state cave out of the defunct Plateau state under the leadership of Wing Commander Abdullahi the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital ,Lafia come into existence through the demolition of the existing Lafia General hospital, also the completion of workers village was the brain work of the first governor to create a conducive working atmosphere for civil servants. The second military governor, Colonel Bala Mande did not embark on new projects instead ensure the completion of ongoing projects like the Government House and amongst others.
Nasarawa State Under Governor Abdullahi Adamu 1999-2007
The first executive governor,Abdullahi Adamu (the sarkin yakin keffi) and Are obateru of the source (Ile-ife) ruled the state for two consecutive times from 1999-2007 under the auspice of the People’s Democratic Party.
Government institutions are lively, money was in circulation,workers welfare was paid as at when due,while promotion are giving due attention.the story of Nasarawa state cannot be completed without mentioning Abdullahi Adamu.
ACCORDED ATTENTION TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING
In the area of education more schools were established, the institutions are the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, others are the School of Nursing and Midwifry,Lafia.
School of Health Technology,Keffi and the Nasarawa State Polytecnic,Lafia are the brain work of governor Abdullahi Adamu.
In the area of Information he succeeded in the building of the present station of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Lafia as well the establishment of Nasarawa Publishing Company, the publishers of Nigerian Newsday, the publishing company was established mainly to project and promote the image of the state.
All the above listed companies have help in curbing unemployment in the state. Under governor Abdullahi Adamu the moribund Nasarawa “On the Move” was established mainly to assist in easing difficulties faced by commuters.
PROMOTION, PENSION AND GRATUITY
During the regime of Abdullahi Adamu promotion, pension, gratuity and workers salary is never a hiccup of the administration, the workforce been the engine room of government businesses are placed above other interest.
CRITICAL ATTENTION TO WORKERS WELFARE
The first governor in an effort to bring succor to the plight of civil servants has constructed houses at affordable prices to civil servants at Abdullahi Adamu housing estate as well Nasara housing estate all aimed at tackling the shortage of accommodation by the workforce while at the local government level over 7000 youth were engaged under the Abdullahi Adamu Youth Protection”.
BUILDING OF MINISTRIES
He heralded the building of befitting ministries to state civil servants; the ministries are Ministries for Local Government through deduction from Local Government resource.
Ministry of works, commerce, finance, environment, women affairs as well building of state secretariat along Akunza-Makurdi road.
Under Abdullahi Adamu the first graduates of Nasarawa State University,Keffi are accorded automatic employment.
CONSTRUCTION OF FARIN RUWA HEPP PROJECT
Abdullahi Adamu conceived the Farin Ruwa Hydro Electric Power Project with the intent of providing 20 megawatt of electricity to the entire state.
He also established Meat Processing factory in Karu,Nasara Sacks and Packages, Fertilizer Blending Plant in Lafia aimed at generating revenue to the state.
He also sustained the school feeding programme of President Olusegun Obasanjo
CREATION Of SIXTEEN DEVELOPMENT AREAS
Creation of Development Areas-this single effort is to bring government closer to the people through the creation of Development areas of Ekye, Lafia North, Lafia East, Karshi, Udege, Jenkwe, Akwanga West, Azara, Giza, Akun, Farin Ruwa, Agwada and amongst others has bridge the wider gap between people at the hinterland.
CREATION OF MORE CHIEFDOM
Additional chiefdoms were create with sole aim of tackling the widespread of chieftaincy tussle that erupted the state, the creation of more chiefdoms was a latest development.
SUCCESS STORY OF ABDULLAHI ADAMU
Establishment of Nasarawa State University, Keffi
School of Health Technology, Keffi
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lafia
Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Lafia
Completion of Government House, Lafia
Construction of Farin Ruwa HEPP
Meat and dairy processing company
Nasara Sacks and Packages
Fertilizer blending plant
Karu International Market, Abuja
Dualization of College of Agriculture to Mararaban Akunza roundabout
CHALLENGES
The first elected governor, Abdullahi Adamu wasted taxpayers money on bogus voyage both international and domestic, it was learnt that chunk amount of money was expended on numerous and valueless award and titles.
VAST PROJECTS WERE ABANDONED for example
- Farin Ruwa HEPP- abandoned project
- Karu International market-abandoned project
- Meat and Dairy Processing factory-abandoned project-abandoned project
- Nasara Sacks and packages-abandoned project
- Fertilizer blending plant-abandoned project
Farin Ruwa HEPP was used as a conduit pipe to drain the resource of the state, as of this moment only 20% of the work has taking place but colossal amount released in respect to the Hdyro Electric Power Project.
Other nonproductive projects are the fertilizer Blending plant in Lafia, Meat and Dairy processing factory, Nasara Sacks and Packages.
ESTABLISHMENT OF KARU INTERNATIONAL MARKET
Karu International market was the brain child of the first elected governor of the state, the intention for the establishment of the market in Karu, the gateway to the nation’s capital was to open up a vista for commercial purposes, The market if completed would boost the revenue drive of the state which relied heavily on allocation from the federal Account
ALIYU AKWE DOMA 2007-2011
The tenure of Madauchin Doma was short-lived due to political reasons, his second term agenda was truncated by the incumbent governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura with a protest vote from left, right and centre, despite the challenges of Doma (2007-2011) he has impacted positively to the welfare of workers.
On assumption of office as the second democratically elected governor of the state, Doma conceived a thirteen (13) point agenda which was a roadmap of his regime.
DOMA’S THIRTEEN POINT AGENDA
Doma in four years also paid his ultimate price especially in Lafia, the state capital by constructing a roundabout along Emir’s palace Doma road Junction, the roundabout has assisted in reducing the rising spate of road fatality within that axis, besides he opened up new township roads to reduce gridlock in the state capital.
CONSTRUCTION OF 500 HOUSING UNITS
This been the highest number of housing units ever constructed by past and current administrations since state creation, the project under the Public Private Partnership has assisted the beneficiaries.
Farin Ruwa Hydro Electric Power Project
Government been a continues process ,the Aliyu Akwe Doma’s regime has invested money to the tune of N4.1bn in Farin Ruwa Hydro Electric Power Project with an intention to ensure the completion of the project which was targeting 20 megawatts of power supply.
PROCUREMENT OF 100 UNITS OF TRANSFORMERS
To ensure the total stability of electricity, Doma procured 100 units of transformer for onward distribution to communities suffering from epileptic power supply and was shared by the incumbent administration.
DOMA EMPLOYED 2,500 TEACHERS
No fewer than 2,500 Teachers called (TSC) were employed in his four years in office, the large number of teachers would to a large extend compliment government effort in revitalizing the education sector which was mar by shortage of teachers, Aliyu Akwe Doma deserved a pass mark in that area of critical need.
MASSIVE RURAL ROAD CONSTRUCTION
One sector Aliyu Akwe Doma has accord prominence was the construction of rural roads, some of the rural roads are Doma-Okpatta-Akpanaja road linking Nasarawa and Benue state, the road has helped people of Okpatta,Rukubi in no small major, the Journey of four hours from Doma to Rukubi now ended a forty minute Journey in spite of the shabby project executed by P.W Nigeria Limited under Akwe Doma.
INTRODUCTION OF BADAKOSHI AGRICULTURAL SCHEME
This a plus to both large and small scale farmers as many benefited from the scheme in spite of the shortfalls of the initiator, this initiative help in boosting food production in the state as both small and large scale farmers benefited from the gesture.
CHALLENGES
The persistent strike action embarked by civil servants in the state lead to the uprooting of the ruling party, The People’s Democratic Party from the corridor of power, one of the worst strike action was the one that led to the closure of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital,Lafia.
Second reasons for why Doma did not return to government House in 2011 was the dissolution of elected council chairmen and councilors, these also play a key role in truncating Doma’s re-election.
SUCCESS STORY OF AL-MAKURA
Building of hostels in the four tertiary institutions, a whooping N2 billion was invested in hostels development.
The projects would seriously curbed the acute shortages of accommodation in tertiary institutions.
The institutions are
Nasarawa State University, Keffi
Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia
College of Education, Akwanga
College of Agriculture, Lafia.
Building of three libraries one each at every senatorial district of Lafia,Akwanga and Nasarawa Local government
Procurement of earth moving equipment for the construction of feeder roads
Procurement of fire fighting vehicle as well building of fire service headquarter in Lafia.
Settling the prolong chieftaincy tussle in Akwanga local government
Establishment of more schools
More chiefdom were created to ensure that peace reign.
Massive construction of new schools which by the governor
Lafia, the state capital is wearing a good look, as Lafia can compete with her counterpart in times of needed social amenities like traffic light, construction of Lafia square, Modern library and massive township road network in Lafia extended to all local government,
Construction of specialists hospitals in Akwanga, Lafia, the idea was to decongest Dalhatu Araf Specialist hospital.
Construction of fire service headquarters in Lafia.
Construction of Doma-Agyaragu road construction of Keana-Obi road road
Giza-Kadarko-Keana road Azara-Kanje road and amongst other road network.
Other gesture was the massive road construction in the state capital extended to all Local Government headquarters, in the last six years, governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura constructed over 1000 km roads across the length and breadth of the state. The education sector in spite of the nagging challenges passed through rigorous expansion and renovation while new schools were built across the state.
WEAKNESSES OF GOVERNOR AL-MAKURA
-Dearth of Nasarawa Express “On the Move”
-Dearth of Lafia Hotel
-Dearth of Nigerian Newsday
-Outright closure of Nasarawa Investment and Property Development Company (NIPDC).
DEARTH OF NASARAWA PUBLISHING COMPANY
Publishers of Nigerian Newsday and Nasara Newspapers which was one of the key legacies of the first elected governor of the state, Abdullahi Adamu. (Sarkin Yakin Keffi).
The sole aimed of establishing of media outfit has been defeated as governor Al-Makura hoodwinked the company for poor quality publication, the governor stated on 29th May, 2016 during a media chat at the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Lafia.
The governor attested that investing money in Newsday is an exercise in futility and instead he would invest money in Eggon News which he confided publish quality newspaper with broad reports, today the government of Nasarawa state can only boast of quarterly magazine,”Nasarawa Today” whose circulation cannot satisfy the existing ministries none the thirteen local governments.
-OUTRIGHT CLOSURE OF NASARAWA INVESTMENT AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
The outright closure of Nasarawa Investment and Property Development Company by the incumbent administration under Al-Makura is a serious setback to the company which generates chunk amount of Internally Generated Revenue to the state.
Workers at NIPDC were not paid for over eighteen months salaries before the total closure of the company by the state governor in 2016.
-DEARTH OF LAFIA HOTEL
-Awarding of contract without due consideration to Tenders Bills of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME)
-All the key handiwork of the first executive governor of the state, Abdullahi Adamu has went down the drain.
-Installation of substandard street light along College of Agriculture to Mararaban Akunza and the ones installed has since dysfunction even before thirty days of installation, while vast of the installed street light were installed by Akwe Doma and were repainted by the current governor.
7000 Youth Engaged Under The Youth Protection of Abdullahi Adamu were fired creating total disconnection between the government and youth,though the sacked workers are called fixed enjoying N7000 monthly but are not pensionable.
CHALLENGES
Al-Makura is the most traveled governor in the history of Nasarawa State from 1st October, 1996 to date
- Embarking on projects without Bills of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).
- Elevation of the stool of Sagarin Kwandare community above the stool of Sagarin Shabu been the headquarter of Lafia North Development Area.
- Insistence on the construction of airport in his community in spite of the current economic crunch as workers welfare was compromised.
- Lack of promotion is a serious impediment to workers causing stagnation in civil service.
- Incessant strike action embarked by workers, this lead to the death of two civil servants at Lafia government House gate.
- Non completion of abandoned hospital conceived by his regime, some of the projects include Farin Ruwa HEPP,Hall constructed i
SUCCESS STORY OF AL-MAKURA
Building of hostels in the four tertiary institutions,a whooping N2bn was invested in hostels development.
The projects would seriously curbed the acute shortages of accommodation in tertiary institutions.
The institutions are
Nasarawa State University, Keffi
Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia
College of Education, Akwanga
College of Agriculture, Lafia.
Building of three libraries one each at every senatorial district of Lafia, Akwanga and Nasarawa Local government
Procurement of earth moving equipment for the construction of feeder roads
Procurement of fire fighting vehicle as well building of fire service headquarter in Lafia.
Settling the prolong chieftaincy tussle in Akwanga local government
Establishment of more schools
More chiefdom was created to ensure that peace reign.
Massive construction of new schools which by the governor
Lafia, the state capital is wearing a good look, as Lafia can compete with her counterpart in times of needed social amenities like traffic light, construction of Lafia square, Modern library and massive township road network in Lafia extended to all local government,
Construction of specialist hospitals in Akwanga, Lafia, the idea was to decongest Dalhatu Araf Specialist hospital.
Construction of fire service headquarters in Lafia.
Construction of Doma-Agyaragu road construction of Keana-Obi road road
Giza-Kadarko-Keana road
Azara-Kanje road and amongst other road network.
Other gesture was the massive road construction in the state capital extended to all Local Government headquarters, in the last six years,governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura constructed over 1000 km roads across the length and breadth of the state.The education sector in spite of the nagging challenges passed through rigorous expansion and renovation while new schools were build across the state.
WEAKNESSES OF GOVERNOR AL-MAKURA
-Dearth of Nasarawa Express “On the Move”
-Dearth of Lafia Hotel
-Dearth of Nigerian Newsday
-Outright closure of Nasarawa Investment and Property Development Company (NIPDC).
COLLAPSE OF NASARAWA PUBLISHING COMPANY
Publishers of Nigerian Newsday and Nasara Newspapers which was one of the key legacies of the first elected governor of the state, Abdullahi Adamu. (Sarkin Yakin Keffi).
The sole aimed of establishing of media outfit has been defeated as governor Al-Makura hoodwinked the company for poor quality publication, the governor stated on 29th May,2016 during a media chat at the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Lafia.
The governor attested that investing money in Newsday is an exercise in futility and instead he would invest money in Eggon News which he confided publish quality newspaper with broad reports,today the government of Nasarawa state can only boast of quarterly magazine,”Nasarawa Today” whose circulation cannot satisfy the existing ministries none the thirteen local governments.
-OUTRIGHT CLOSURE OF NASARAWA INVESTMENT AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
The outright closure of Nasarawa Investment and Property Development Company by the incumbent administration under Al-Makura is a serious setback to the company which generates chunk amount of Internally Generated Revenue to the state.
Workers at NIPDC were not paid for over eighteen months salaries before the total closure of the company by the state governor in 2016.
-DEARTH OF LAFIA HOTEL
-Awarding of contract without due consideration to Tenders Bills of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME)
-All the key handiwork of the first executive governor of the state, Abdullahi Adamu has went down the drain.
-Installation of substandard street light along College of Agriculture to Mararaban Akunza and the ones installed has since dysfunction even before thirty days of installation, while vast of the installed street light were installed by Akwe Doma and were repainted by the current governor.
7000 Youth Engaged Under The Youth Protection of Abdullahi Adamu were fired creating total disconnection between the government and youth,though the sacked workers are called fixed enjoying N7000 monthly but are not pensionable.
CHALLENGES
Al-Makura is the most traveled governor in the history of Nasarawa State from 1st October, 1996 to date
1.Embarking on projects without Bills of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).
2.Elevation of the stool of Sagarin Kwandare community above the stool of Sagarin Shabu been the headquarter of Lafia North Development Area.
3.Insistence on the construction of airport in his community in spite of the current economic crunch as workers welfare was compromised.
- Lack of promotion is a serious impediment to workers causing stagnation in civil service.
- Incessant strike action embarked by workers, this lead to the death of two civil servants at Lafia government House gate.
- Non completion of abandoned hospital conceived by his rergime, some of the projects include Farin Ruwa HEPP,Hall constructed in Lafia govt House to reduce congestion during inauguration.
- Governor Al-Makura in the history of Nasarawa state remained the most traveled governor.
- Huge amount of money was expended on the maintenance of police chopper that was allocated to seven States.
- Women were relegated to the background while comparing Nasarawa under Adamu 1999,Doma 2011.
