By Iliyasu Musa, Danmusa Muhammed, Audu Iliya & Ma’aji Dandaura

The Nasarawa State Government has vowed not to compromise the peace and stability of the state, saying that the existing peace and harmony in the state was crucial to the attainment of the 13-point development agenda of the present administration in the state.

The state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, stated this while addressing leaders and members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state who were at the Government House in Lafia in continuation of their nationwide protest tour against calls for the abolition of local government areas in the country.

He assured that his administration would carefully study their demand with a view to coming out with a government position that would be in the interest of both the state and its people.

Represented by his deputy, Chief John Michael Abdul, the governor commended members of the state chapter of NULGE for their show of patriotism and solidarity in the postponement of their rally to enable the state host the wife of the president, Hajiya Turai Yar’adua, who launched her pet project, NAWOCA, in Lafia last week.

Governor Doma further assured that his administration was committed to the implementation of the policies aimed at meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people, noting however, that no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour.

He said his administration would continue to pursue a collective approach to the issue of development in the state.

Earlier, the state president of NULGE, Comrade Adamu Salihu Eladoga, said that they were at Government House to present issues affecting the lives of the people at the grassroots who constituted the majority of the Nigerian people.

The union leader who said the recent merger of the local government staff pension board with the state pension board was unacceptable to NULGE members, called on the government to immediately demerge the two bodies, in line with section 7 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria that recognized local government as a tier of government.

The president appealed to the state government to approve the implementation of the new scheme of service in the state, so as to avoid unnecessary confrontation between the union and the state government.

The president called on the state government to expedite action in conducting local government elections so as to enable the people benefit from the dividends of democracy.

In another development, the much expected local government council elections in Nasarawa State would not be conducted now, Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma has said.

In a letter he sent to the state House of Assembly, the governor explained that the decision to delay the conduct of the elections was informed by the need to ensure adequate security for a peaceful conduct of the exercise.

The governor’s letter which was read by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Peter Moncho, said necessary arrangements were being made to conduct credible local government elections in the state as soon as there was a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of the exercise.

Governor Akwe Doma said in his letter that the conduct of local government elections was such a sensitive activity which should not be rushed.

He hinted of the need to assemble all stakeholders to have dialogue on the issue with a view to guaranteeing a level playing ground for all parties.

The governor solicited the understanding of the House on the need to avoid the ugly incidences that accompanied attempts in some states to carry out the exercise without adequate security measures put in place.

It would be recalled that the state House of Assembly has, a fortnight ago, passed a resolution urging the governor to conduct local government elections in the state within 90 days.