In a bid to revitalise the Nasarawa State economy by leveraging private sector expertise and capabilities, Nasarawa State Executive Council has approved the establishment of five major projects to be delivered through Public-Private Partnerships.

The information was contained in a statement signed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency Ibrahim A. Abdulahi which was made available to reporters in Lafia, the state capital, yesterday.

Abdulahi noted that the approval of the five projects by the State Executive Council demonstrates the state government’s confidence in the private sector and puts to test the state’s new Public Private Partnership Framework under the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency Law (NASIDA Law).

He reeled off the five crucial projects to include the Nasarawa Technology Village which will be established in partnership with ABS Blueprint and Modern Shelter, as well as their IT partners.

The Nasarawa Technology Village, Abdullahi said, is an integrated PPP project with housing, technology centres and commercial areas all embedded.

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Another of the projects approved by the state Executive Council, the Agency boss said, is the Nasarawa Transport Company, which he said will be private sector-driven.

He said: “The Nasarawa Transport Company is designed to facilitate trade and investment in Nasarawa State by supporting the efficient movement of goods and people across locations of surplus to areas of need.

The state Exco also reviewed the operations of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital.

This, according to the statement, was aimed at achieving a more effective and efficient service delivery at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia.

Abdullahi said: “Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital has been a key health care delivery centre for the state over the years. The government decided to concession the operations and maintenance of three crucial services within the hospital namely; radiology, laboratory, and mortuary departments.”

In another development, three members of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Samuel Tsebe (APC-Akwanga South), David Maiyaki (APC- Karu/Gitata) and Peter Akwanga (PDP- Obi 1) yesterday escaped assassination. They were said to be on their way from Akwanga to Lafia when the incident occurred around 10:00 a.m.

Our correspondent gathered that the three lawmakers were returning from the burial of the elder brother to the wife of Tsebe when the assassins shot at the vehicle of Tsebe at Wowyen Village, along Akwanga/Lafia Road.

It was learnt that the gun was targeted at the vehicle of Tsebe as Akwe was in his car ahead followed by Maiyaki.

Samuel Tsebe (APC-Akwanga South) expressed gratitude to God for saving his life and those of his colleagues.

“When we were approaching Wowyen Village, along Akwanga/Lafia Road, I heard a gunshot at the driver’s side of my car in which I was the one driving.

“It is more of an assassination attempt. I have informed the police about the assassination attempt on my life,” he said.