For the umpteenth time, the Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, has expressed his desire to continue to serve the people to the best of his abilities.

Governor Doma stated this at the Banquet Hall of the Arewa House in Kaduna last week, shortly after he was presented with the best performing northern governor award for the year  2007/2008.

The award was given to the governor by the African Independent Television (AIT) in conjunction with Project for Excellence (PE) in recognition of his service to the people, especially in the areas of water and electricity supply and road construction in Nasarawa State.

It would be recalled that, in fulfillment of its promise to make the roads network in the state one of the best in the country, the Nasarawa State Government recently awarded contract worth N16 billion for the construction of six major roads, spanning hundreds of kilometres across the state. Works on the projects have since commenced.

Also, the Doma-led government has awarded contract for the supply of water to Lafia and other towns within the state at cost of over N2 billion.

In the area of electricity supply, the government only recently assured the people of the state that it would, before the end of the year, complete and commision the hydro-power plant situated at Farin Ruwa Development Area of the state with a view to bringing to an end the problem of electricity in Nasarawa and neigbouring states.

The state government, it would also be recalled, recently purchased and distributed over 50 electricity transformers to complement the efforts of Power Holding Company of Nigeria in boosting electricity supply to the state.

The governor who urged the people of the state to see the award as an honour for the entire state and not for him alone, reiterated his commitment to continue with his good works. “I will leave Nasarawa State better than I met it,” the governor promised.

He expressed his gratitude to the people of the state for their co-operation, saying that  was responsible for the successes recorded by his administration.

Other dignitaries who received awards for good governance at the event included governors of Bauchi, Niger, Gombe, Kano and Kaduna States, Malam Isa Yuguda, Alhaji Aliyu Babangida, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo respectively.

Senator Abubakar Danso Sodangi, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the Senate received the award for the best performing Northern Senator.

Speaking on the criteria used for the award, the chairman of the Award Technical Committee, Colonel Yohana Mamman Dickson (Rtd) said size of the state, availability of funds and impacts of projects inspected by the members of the committee on the lives of the citizens were among the yardsticks used.

Colonel Dickson who was represented by Malam Abdulmalik Agi said the award was aimed at promoting good governance and dividends of democracy.

Col. Dickson called on the recipients of the awards to continue to do more for the betterment of the people.

Meanwhile, Nasarawa State indigenes resident in Kaduna State have expressed their satisfaction with the style of Governor Doma’s leadership, urging him to continue with the good work he was  doing.

The indigenes of the state who spoke under the umbrella of Nasarawa State Development Association, Kaduna State branch, rejoiced with the governor over the award given to him by the AIT, assuring him of their maximum cooperation.

Leader of the association, Senator Walid Jibrin, who spoke on behalf of the members said with the successes so far recorded, “the pace has been set for the actual development of the state”.

Governor Doma, in his response charged members of the group to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner, urging them to portray themselves as good citizens.

He assured that his administration would live no stone unturned to justify the confidence reposed on it by the people.