Nasarawa Denies Spending N707m On Refreshment, Meals

Nasarawa State government has denied claims that it spent N707 million on refreshments and meals between January and September 2025.

The denial came amid media reports (not LEADERSHIP) that the sum was frivolously spent while the people of the state lack access to potable water.

In a statement yesterday, the senior special assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Mr Peter Ahemba, said the amount cited did not represent a single discretionary expense on refreshments and meals as erroneously portrayed in the publication.

He also questioned the report’s reference to a lack of access to water, describing it as laughable and malicious.

“Government hereby refutes the claims and wishes to clarify further that the cited N707 million represents aggregate expenditures across multiple Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) over the referenced nine-month period, covering statutory and operational costs such as meetings, trainings, workshops, security activities and programme implementation.

“We equally found the allegation of neglect in rural water access laughable, given the sustained investments in water infrastructure across the state under the Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule-led Administration in the state.

“It is public knowledge that since 2019 when Governor Sule took over the mantle of leadership of the state, significant reforms and interventions have been implemented through the State Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (NASWASSA), Ministry of Water Resources, the State Water Board and development partners, following the constitution of a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Taskforce and the enactment of relevant enabling laws,” Ahemba said.

He said through the laudable initiatives, the state government implemented an appreciable number of water-related projects and carried out major rehabilitation and upgrades of water works in Doma, Keana, Awe, Lafia, Nasarawa Eggon, Keffi, Karu and several other towns, involving grid connections, pump replacements, dredging, borehole rehabilitation, plant renovations and procurement of operational equipment amounting to billions of naira.

“These visible and verifiable interventions spread across rural and urban communities of the state no doubt contradict any claims of neglect …” he added.