Screenshot
Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, says his administration has executed infrastructure projects across the state without borrowing from any bank, attributing the achievement to the fiscal gains from the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the Akwanga–Jos Road project, Sule welcomed President Tinubu to Akwanga and thanked him for combining the groundbreaking ceremony with the inauguration of several state projects.
The governor described the road project as a strategic national infrastructure that would improve security, stimulate economic development and strengthen connectivity across several states.
“My work is actually very easy. It’s just to welcome you, our special guest and Mr. President, to Akwanga, and to thank you sincerely for accepting to come here and, on your way to this event, also commission some of our projects.”
Sule said the road would serve as a critical transport corridor linking communities across the country.
“We thank you for several reasons. This route that you are about to carry out the groundbreaking for, Mr. President, is a route that takes care of security, takes care of economic development, connects the borders of Plateau and Nasarawa and, by extension, other parts of the country.”
He explained that the highway forms part of a much wider transport network stretching from Nigeria’s South-East through the North-Central region to the North-East.
“The Permanent Secretary, speaking earlier, mentioned this as the longest route that starts from the eastern part to Abuja and continues all the way to Biu and Borno. But, in reality, Your Excellency, this route actually starts from Ninth Mile. It comes through Obollo-Afor, Makurdi, Lafia, Akwanga and continues in this direction.”
“What this route means is that the entire Nigeria is being connected. Connected from the eastern part to Abuja, coming back to Lafia, arriving here in Akwanga and then continuing onward. So Akwanga has become the connection that links all these parts together.”
The governor thanked the President for approving the project, saying it would significantly enhance movement of people and goods.
“I cannot thank you enough for this wonderful gesture of giving us the opportunity to witness the beginning of this route.”
Sule also appreciated the leadership of the governing party for expanding the President’s itinerary to include the inauguration of state government projects.
“I also want to thank the National Chairman for accepting that, instead of just coming for the groundbreaking, the programme should also include the commissioning of the few projects that we have completed.”
Highlighting his administration’s infrastructure record, the governor said every project commissioned by the President, including roads supporting agriculture, mining and fishing, had been funded without resorting to loans.
“As I have mentioned before this audience, all the projects you saw and commissioned in Akwanga, including the projects we have executed across the state, especially those connecting rural areas for agriculture, fishing, mining and other economic activities, were carried out without borrowing one naira from any bank whatsoever.”
According to Sule, the state’s improved financial position was made possible by the Federal Government’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the foreign exchange market and increased revenue allocation.
“They were carried out because we had the opportunity created by the economic reforms of Mr. President through the unification of the foreign exchange market, the removal of fuel subsidy and the increase in VAT. These reforms have made it possible for governors like me, who came into office in 2019 and were receiving between ₦3.5 billion and ₦4 billion monthly in allocation, to now receive between ₦13 billion and ₦15 billion every month.”
“That is what has made it possible for us to carry out all these projects across the state.”
The governor said the impact of the reforms had translated into strong political support for President Tinubu in Nasarawa State.
“Therefore, I want to make it categorically clear that when Mr. President wins elections in Nasarawa State with anywhere between 70 and 80 per cent of the votes, it is not a surprise. It is because the people of Nasarawa State appreciate what Mr. President has done.”
Sule added that recent electoral outcomes in the state had demonstrated the ruling party’s continued popularity.
“We just had an election to test the waters. During that election, we had very important, committed and well-known contenders.”
Boluwatife Enome
