The Nasarawa State Government has approved the sum of ₦13 billion for the construction of one-kilometre roads in each of the state’s 13 local government areas as part of efforts to improve infrastructure and enhance grassroots development.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aminu Muazu-Maifata, disclosed this on Monday during a ministerial press conference held in Lafia, the state capital.
The event was organised by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Ibrahim Tanko, to enable government officials to present achievements recorded by their ministries.
Muazu-Maifata explained that the approval followed the grant of financial autonomy to local government councils by Governor Abdullahi Sule, alongside the establishment of a coordinating structure to ensure prudent utilisation of council funds.
According to him, the structure reviews monthly demands of each local government in line with their statutory allocations and internally generated revenues, after which releases are agreed upon to address priority needs.
“It is in our meetings with them that we agreed to construct one kilometre road in each area council, and ₦13 billion was approved for the projects,” he said.
He added that 30 per cent of the approved sum had already been released from savings to the council chairmen, noting that construction work has commenced and is at varying levels of completion across the state.
“We are monitoring the progress of the constructions, and very soon, another batch of funds will be released to enable them continue with the projects,” Muazu-Maifata stated.
The commissioner noted that the road projects are in addition to other developmental initiatives being executed by local government chairmen in sectors such as health, education and rural infrastructure, some of which have been completed while others are ongoing.
He further revealed that the state government has saved over ₦4 billion on behalf of the 13 local governments, in line with the governor’s policy of financial prudence.
“Taking a cue from the governor, who believes in saving for rainy days, we have saved over ₦4 billion for the 13 LGAs,” he said.
Muazu-Maifata reaffirmed the state government’s support for full financial and administrative autonomy for local governments, stressing that such autonomy is critical for development at the grassroots.
He also disclosed that the state government is releasing ₦80 million monthly to the State Pension Bureau for the payment of gratuities to retired local government workers.
Earlier, Dr. Tanko said the ministerial press conference was part of efforts by his ministry to keep the public informed about government policies, programmes and projects.
He pledged to sustain public enlightenment through project site visits to enable residents see firsthand the progress made by the administration.
Tanko added that the 2026 budget contains more projects than any previous fiscal year in the state’s history, aimed at consolidating ongoing development efforts.
He urged members of the public to take ownership of public infrastructure and protect facilities such as schools and hospitals from vandalism and sabotage.
By Umar Muhammed, Lafia
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