The Nation Newspaper

Tag: TANKO AL-MAKURA

  • Non-payment of salaries: We break Ramadan fast with water – Nasarawa workers

    Non-payment of salaries: We break Ramadan fast with water – Nasarawa workers

    Striking workers of Nasarawa State Government on Friday said that non-payment of their salaries had made them to break Ramadan fast with only water.

    In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, the workers called on the government to pay them their three months’ salary arrears and other entitlements to save their families from hardship.

    NAN reports that the workers began an indefinite strike on May 12 to press home their demand for payment of salary arrears, and regular promotion of workers, among others things.

    A teacher, Alhaji Garba Audu, said: “I am a teacher with the state Ministry of Education.

    “For more than three months, we have not been paid our salaries, and this has caused untold hardship for us and our family members.

    “To have money to buy foodstuff to break Ramadan fast is a problem; most of us break our fast with water due to the non-payment of our salaries.

    “Fasting has a lot of blessings from Allah, and every Muslim is expected to partake in it; hence, the need for the state government to pay workers’ salaries.’’

    He appealed to the state government to meet the workers’ demands to end the strike and restore industrial harmony.

    Another worker, Mr Samson Dauda of the Ministry of Works and Housing, said that the strike had also negatively affected all sectors of the state economy.

    “To meet my basic needs and those of my family members is a challenge. For over three months now, we have not been paid. This is not fair,’’ he said.

    Hajiya Maryam Sani, who works with the state Ministry of Agriculture, told NAN: “Most of us are breaking our Ramadan fast with water, which is not supposed to be,” she said.

    She also appealed to the government to meet the workers’ demands to alleviate their suffering.

    Some other workers, who pleaded anonymity, accused the state government of neglecting its civil servants.

    They said that no nation could achieve speedy development without the contributions of its workforce.

    They urged the government to meet their demands.

    NAN reports that Mr A. Adeka, who was recently removed as the Chairman of the workers’ union, announced the suspension of the strike on May 26, saying that  the government had begun meeting the workers’ demands.

    However, on May 27, Mr Bala Umar, who replaced Adeka, told the workers not to resume work, saying that the government had yet to meet the demands.

    The state Gov. Tanko Al-Makura, on May 29, said that the workers were not on strike  as far as he was concerned.

    He warned that any worker who would not resume work, would be taking a risk.

  • Nasarawa House of Assembly summons six LG chairmen over bridges

    Nasarawa House of Assembly summons six LG chairmen over bridges

    Chairmen of six local governments in Nasarawa State on Wednesday appeared before the  House of Assembly Committee on Works, over the delay in the construction of bridges and culverts already paid for.

    Mr Mohammed Okpoku, Chairman of the committee, who summoned the officials, told the News of Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the invitation was to also caution them against allowing the handlers to compromise standards.

    “We are not on a witch hunt; we represent the people and only want to be sure that projects meant to improve their welfare are not toyed with,” Okpoku told NAN shortly after meeting with the officials in Lafia.

    NAN quotes the legislator as telling the officials that the House of Assembly members were surprised that the projects were being delayed “long after Gov. Tanko Al-Makura released full payments”.

    He gave the officials two weeks to complete the jobs, saying that the committee would visit the areas to inspect the state and pace of work after the period.

    The legislator advised the officials to be “very prudent” with resources, and warned against frivolous expenditure and unnecessary trips.

    He also commended the governor for the prompt release of the funds for the projects, saying that the measure would open rural areas for development to flourish.

    NAN reports that Al-Makura, in February, approved the release of N700 million to the 13 local governments and 18 development areas to construct bridges and culverts to open up rural communities.

  • Al-Makura urges workers to call off strike

    Al-Makura urges workers to call off strike

    Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has urged striking workers to call off their strike in the interest of peace and for the socio-economic development of the state.

    Al-Makura made the appeal on Monday in Lafia during a meeting with some stakeholders to commemorate 18 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria.

    “As far as I am concerned, there is no strike in Nasarawa state now and any worker hiding in his bedroom is doing that at his or her own risk,’’ he however warned.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NLC Chairman in the state, Mr Abdullahi Adeka, had on May 26 announced the suspension of the strike, saying the state government has started implementing their demands.

    However, on May 27, a factional NLC Chairman, Mr Bala Umar, asked workers to continue with the strike, insisting that the government was yet to meet up with their demands.

    The workers are demanding for full payment of their salary arrears, promotion and enhanced condition of service.

    Commenting on the development, the governor said that the meeting was aimed at appreciating, recognising and acknowledging the contributions of those that served and are still serving the state since when he assumed office in 2011.

    Al-Makura said that the strike, which was embarked upon by the organised labour, has a political motive.

    “As a matter of fact, the master minds behind the strike are people completely belonging from opposition political parties.

    “The strike is only to sabotage government efforts; if not why is that children whose parents are APC, PDP, APGA, Labour Party, among others, want to be denied opportunity to studies.

    “We thank the Ministry of Education and the government that make the necessary arrangement to make sure that the students study without hitches,” he said.

    Al-Makura pointed out that his administration in the past six years have recorded landmark achievements in the areas of development in the state capital and with a drive in rural areas through the provision of basic social amenities and infrastructure to curb rural/urban migration.

    He assured the stakeholders and the people of the state on his unalloyed drive for development which, according to him, has resulted to key infrastructural improvement.

    “The contributions of various stakeholders in the state have help in bringing to success the gains of democracy which we all celebrate today,” he added.

    According to him, since the birth of his administration, road network, construction of schools, hospitals and markets, among other key infrastructures, has in no small measure top government programmes.

    The governor renewed the commitment of his administration to continue to create infrastructures that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.

    NAN also reports that the meeting brought together past and present political office holders who served the state at various levels.

  • Nasarawa Assembly pledges to ensure fair spread of projects

    The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has pledged to work with the executive arm to ensure even distribution of development projects at the grassroots.

    Mr. Mohammad Odege-Okpoku, Chairman, House Committee on Works and Transport, made the promise while inspecting projects in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

    Odege-Okpoku, who led members of the committee on the exercise, lauded Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for releasing funds for the construction of culverts and bridges across local government and development area councils in the state.

    “It will go a long way to alleviating the hardship faced by rural dwellers during the raining season,” the chairman said.

    He said the construction and reconstruction of roads across the state had been given priority by the administration, considering the plight of some communities during the rainy season.

    “One thing our people found difficult and that also caused hardship in the rural communities is the issue of culverts and bridges during the peak of the rainy season.

    “The governor has really tried in this direction, by providing relief to the people at the grassroots, even as we appeal to him to do more to give to the people at the grassroots a sense of belonging,” he said.

    The lawmaker also commended the Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Council, Mr. Kwanta Yakubu, for supervising the construction work which has resulted in the completion of the projects within specification.

    The committee also inspected projects in Akwanga-West, Akun and Agwada Development Areas.

    However, he urged the people of the state to accord the Al-Makura-led administration the desired support and co-operation in its quest to better their lot.

     

  • Nasarawa: Assembly audits quality of N700m Al-Makura bridges

    The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has assured that current inspection of bridge projects by its Committee on Works was to ensure quality execution of the contracts.The Chairman of the committee, Mr Mohammed Okpoku, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Agwada on Tuesday that every local council must account for the money released to it for the construction of bridges and culverts in their locality.

    NAN reports that Gov. Tanko Al-Makura had in February released over N700 million to the 13 local councils and 18 development areas in the state to construct bridges and culverts.
    Okpoku said that the oversight visit by the committee was not meant to witch hunt any local government chairman, but ensure that monies released were accounted for.
    According to him, contractors handling the various projects have no reason to delay the work as the governor had released their money in full.
    “The inspection exercise was not meant to witch hunt anybody. It is part of the Assembly’s oversight functions to ensure that quality job is done in the interest of peace and development.”
    The committee chairman commended Gov. Al-Makura for the initiative, saying it would open up rural areas, stimulate agriculture and socio-economic activities across the state.
    “The construction of the bridges and culverts would not only reduce the hardship faced by the people but would also improve on agricultural production, fight poverty, boost revenue base and socio-economic activities of the people,” he said.
    He said that so far, the quality of most of the bridges and culverts inspected by the committee was high.

     

  • Nasarawa assembly summons gov’s aide over payment of constituency allowances

    The Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Tuesday summoned the Special Adviser to Gov. Tanko Al-Makura on Gender and Disability Matters, Hajiya Hajara Danyaro, over alleged payment of constituency allowances to the members of the state legislature.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, Speaker of the house, gave the directive on Tuesday for the appearance of the aide before the house.

    The summon followed Mr. James Dangana (APC-Doma) motion on an allegation under a Matter of Public Interest during the house proceeding in Lafia.

    Balarabe-Abdullahi directed the Clerk of the house to communicate the resolution to Danyaro to appear on April 11 by 8.30 a.m., adding that her alleged statement was capable of inciting the public against the house.

    “By this invitation, we want to give the Special Adviser to Gov. Al-Makura on Gender and Disability Matters, fair hearing over her allegation that the house has been receiving constituency allowances and because of that, members have been marrying more wives.

    “We want her to come and explain whether the allegation against the house is true or not,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr. James Dangana (APC-Doma), Chairman, House Committee on Information, alleged that Danyaro told women in Lafia that lawmakers were now marrying additional wives due to the payment of constituency allowances to them.

    “I am speaking in my capacity as the house committee chairman on Information.

    “I want to move a motion so that Danyaro should appear before the house tomorrow to explain her statement on the alleged payment of constituency allowances to members of this house,” he said.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Bala (APC-Keffi West) seconded the motion for the summon on the governor’s aide.

  •  Al-Makura dissolves governing council of tertiary institutions

     Al-Makura dissolves governing council of tertiary institutions

    Gov.Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has approved the dissolution of the governing council of the three state owned tertiary institutions.

    Mohammed Abdullahi, the Secretary to the State Government, announced this on Friday in Lafia.

    He listed the affected institutions as College of Education, Akwanga, College of Agriculture, Lafia and Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia.

    Abdullahi thanked the chairmen and members of the councils for their services and wished them well in their future endeavours.

    He said that the dissolution of the councils took immediate effect.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institutions are currently on indefinite strike to press home their demands for better welfare packages.

     

  • Nassarawa farmers urge govt. to ensure timely distribution of fertilisers

    Nassarawa farmers urge govt. to ensure timely distribution of fertilisers

    Some farmers in Nasarawa State have appealed to the government at all level to ensure early distribution of fertilisers and other farm inputs to farmers in order to boost their productivity.

    The farmers made the appeal on Tuesday in Toto, Toto Local Government Area of the state.

    They said that the timely distribution of fertilisers to farmers would facilitate efforts to improve food production and boost food security in the state and the country at large.

    One of the farmers, Mr. Mohammed Haruna, said that the importance of early distribution of fertilisers to farmers could never be over-emphasised, particularly in efforts to enhance the country’s development.

    “As we are all aware, no society can survive without agriculture; farming is the major source of livelihood to many members of our society.

    “Agriculture will not only provide food, fight poverty, hunger and unemployment but it will also improve the revenue base of Nigeria and the living standards of its citizens, while boosting the country’s socio-economic development.

    “For farmers in the state to have bumper harvests in the 2017 farming season, I hereby appeal to the state government to ensure early and timely distribution of fertilisers and other inputs to the farmers,’’ he said.

    Another farmer, Samson Audu, who noted that most farmers in the state were subsistent farmers, urged the government at all level to make available fertilisers to them at affordable prices in order to assuage their plight.

    He also called for the early and timely distribution of fertilisers and other inputs to the farmers.

    He, however, commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for providing the farmers with fertilisers at subsidised rates in the 2016 cropping season.

    Mr. Ibrahim Dauda, a farmer, also urged the government to promptly provide fertilisers and other farm inputs to farmers at affordable prices so as to boost food production in the state and the country at large.

     

  • Buhari to commission Nasarawa modern market

    President Muhammadu Buhari will commission the ultra-modern Karu International Market in Nasarawa State when it is completed.

    The state governor, Tanko Al-Makura, spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said the dwindling allocations from the federal coffers underscored the imperative of putting to use the market which has been the under construction for years

    He said the proximity of the 3,000-shop market to the federal capital territory made it commercially viable‎.

    According to him, focus is also being‎ shifted to agriculture and other viable commercial ventures as Nasarawa boasts of tremendous resources for alternative sources of revenue.

  • Al-Makura: 2016 budget is that of hope

    Al-Makura: 2016 budget is that of hope

    Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, on Tuesday declared that the 2016 budget proposal presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly was a budget of hope that will reposition the country.

    He spoke with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after accompanying the President to make the presentation to the National Assembly.

    Stressing that Buhari’s government is purposeful and responsible, he was optimistic that all loopholes creating economic problem in the country will be plugged.

    He said: “I’m very impressed. I have not gone through the budget in details to know all the details regarding the allocations and programmes. But from the presentation you can see that there is direction in this country, there is hope in this country.

    “When people are crying about dwindling situation and lack of resources in the country, you find that the budget has gone far beyond the expectation of a lot of people. This showed the fact that we have a purposeful government, we have a responsible government, a government that will ensure that it plugs all the holes of creating economic problems in the country.

    “A government that will look into the actual problems of the people and solve them with accountability, sense of responsibility and prudence. And this indicates to me that next year will be a year that will turn around a lot of things that we had thought was going haywire, given the direction, purposefulness and forthrightness of Mr. President.

    On whether the over N6 trillion budget is implementable, he said: “God willing, we will implement this budget because you have to be optimistic. All the potentials are there for effective utilization of resources.”

    He noted that the problems in the past had to do with misapplication and outright maladministration of resources accruing to the country.