The administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule, on Thursday, August 21, recorded another significant milestone in its effort to lift indigent youths and women out of poverty.
The governor on that day, commenced the distribution of electric vehicles and tricycles to youths and women groups in what analysts described as an ambitious empowerment initiative, which drew commendations from the traditional institution in the state.
The gesture was among the series of such initiatives aimed at promoting wealth creation and employment generation with the vulnerable segment as the centerpiece.
At that event, 50 electric vehicles and 50 electric tricycles were distributed in the first phase of the programme while awaiting other sets of the products to be delivered and similarly shared to the target beneficiaries.
“We acquired Adoja Electric model 3 and 50 units of Igwe tricycles. The idea is to see how we can empower our youths so that they can begin to run this as a business.
“The initial beneficiaries of the vehicles and tricycles include Nasarawa State University Keffi, tertiary institutions in Lafia, College of Education Akwanga, Disability Rights Commission, Nasarawa State Students Association, Christian Women Association, and FOMWAN.
“The next batch will be given to various youth groups and cultural organisations in the state,” Governor Sule had stated.
To ensure judicious use of the facilities and the accruing proceeds, and the much-needed value addition, the state government has also volunteered to train the beneficiaries on Human Resources, Performance Management and Administration, Account and Finance, Information and Communication Technology, Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, among others.
Beyond this, the state government is also putting in place stringent measures in order to ensure that the laudable objectives of the programme are achieved.
„I need to point out that Government is not just giving these machines, but we are going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the beneficiaries, where terms and conditions will be provided in order to guide the operations of the vehicles and the tricycles. This is the only way we can ensure their durability and effective management,“ he noted.
To allay the fears of how to effectively ensure the functionality of the facilities which were designed to be run wholly through electricity, the governor disclosed that a charging point has been established at the new state secretariat located along Shendam road in the capital city, even as he promised that more outlets will be set up in Akwanga and Keffi towns for the use of beneficiaries in those zones.
In his usual magnanimity, Governor Sule also at the event, announced plans to clear the outstanding gratuity owed to the state retirees who disengaged within 2012 amounting to N1.6 billion. He noted that the stipulated amount has already been set aside and ready to be disbursed accordingly. This is after the administration had earlier cleared that of retirees who exited from 1996 to 2011.
The governor also promised that his administration would give the local governments N600 million to be able to pay their own gratuity.
„In our commitment to meet up with the yearnings and aspirations of our retirees, Government is paying off gratuities of Local Government retirees whose benefits are less than One Million Naira in full. While the beneficiaries with more than One Million Naira will be paid 32% with the balance of 68% to be paid in due course,“ he explained.
In addition, he announced the release of N778 million to clear outstanding two-year scholarship allowances for students, alongside the payment of this year’s NECO registration fees for all secondary school students to ease the burden on parents.
In the area of agriculture, Governor Sule said his administration will subsidize 50% of the cost of fertilizer for farmers in the state, while also forcing down prices of food stuff and other essentials.
„Arrangements are being concluded to purchase and distribute 30,000 bags of 10kg rice to the indigent and vulnerable members of the society at subsidized rate. In addition, we will also purchase 9,000 bags of Urea Fertilizers to be distributed to our farmers at subsidized rates. This is in our determination to cushion the effect of economic hardship and improve the living standard of our people,“ he noted.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Traditional Council, Justice Sidi Bage ( Rtrd) expressed gratitude to Governor Abdullahi Sule for his welfare initiatives and support to people of the state.
“We will continue to support you alongside your progressive policies of bringing hope to the people of the state,” he promised.
