In continuation of the meet-the-people tour across the 13 local government areas of the state, stakeholders in Keana Local Government Area have appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to address prevalence of border communal conflicts on the border between Nasarawa and Benue states.
Both the Keana Local Government Area Chairman, Hon. Adamu Adi and Hon. Mamman Alakayi, Commissioner representing Nasarawa State at the Federal Civil Service Commission, while commending Governor Abdullahi Sule for his laudable stewardship, however appealed for urgent steps to be taken to address the recurrent border strife, which have become a major source of worry to the people of Keana.
The stakeholders specifically want the governor to put to an end, cross border conflicts along the Nasarawa/Benue boundary.
Hon. Alakayi also made case for the construction of the Kadarko/Giza/Kwara road, to ease transportation across the council.
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A youth leader in the area, Abubakar Barde, while acknowledging that Governor Sule has carried the people of Keana Local Government Area, in his development strides, however appealed for more youth engagement.
Barde lamented that Keana annually produces more than 150 graduates annually but with these graduates left to roam the streets without employment.
He urged the governor to facilitate the recruitment of these youth into para military agencies, ministries, as well as government agencies.
Barde equally appealed to the governor, to do all that it takes, to ensure that his immediate predecessor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, becomes the next national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the event, member representing Awe/Doma/Keana at the House of Representatives, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, commended Engineer Sule for his relentless efforts to actualise oil and gas production in Keana.
Hon. Nalaraba equally appreciated the governor for making it possible for the people to commute freely, as a result of the relative peace and security across the state.
The federal lawmaker used the opportunity of the town-hall meeting, to move a motion for the adoption of Engineer Sule, as sole governorship candidate for the people of Keana come 2023, which was seconded by the member representing Keana at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon Mohammed Adamu-Omadefu.
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On his part, immediate past governor of the state and senator representing Nasarawa South, Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-makura, thanked the governor for embarking on the meet-the-people tour, which will further demonstrate that democracy remains the best form of governance, stressing that this would avail Governor Sule the opportunity to hear from the people and to get their advice on the way forward.
Sen. Al-makura used the opportunity to appreciate the governor for completing all uncompleted projects he inherited from previous administrations, adding that the gesture shows that Engineer Sule has the people of the state at heart.
While commending the people of Keana Local Government Area, for their support for the APC during the last election, the former governor assured that the people of the area are ready to repeat the feat and to give Governor Sule another four-year term come 2023.
The lawmaker, however, appealed to the governor to dedicate a line from the 330kv Akurba power substation, for Keana, because of the anticipated industries that will spring up in the area as a result of the oil and gas exploration.
Responding, Governor Sule said security was a topmost priority of his administration, recalling the series of security meetings that held recently, involving traditional rulers, Benue State government and herdsmen.
The governor disclosed that another meeting will soon hold between Benue and Nasarawa State governments, with a view to addressing cross border cattle rustling by Tiv criminals, which often results in Fulani incursions into Benue communities.
On the demand for infrastructure, the governor promised to take up the construction of the Keana/Abuni, Keana/Benue border, as well as Keana/Salt lake roads.
On the issue of youth employment, Governor Sule, disclosed that his administration is seeking to partner major salt companies to come to Keana and exploit the salt deposits, which he said will create employment for the youths.
The governor added that, the Dangote Sugar Refinery in Awe, will soon provide employment for 30, 000 youths from the state.
Commenting on the initiative of his administration to empower women, the governor said the exercise is continuous, with the medium and small scale agency, about to empower women in the state with one hundred thousand naira each, following which Engineer Sule allocated 25 slots to women in Keana.
Commenting on power supply, Governor Sule reiterated that one line from the 330kv Akurba power substation, will be dedicated to Assakio/Obi/Keana.
The governor also said instead of transporting the expected oil and gas to be exploited in Keana, to the sea, his administration will pursue for the setting up of a refinery to refine the petroleum products in Keana.