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Building Trust In Government
Sunday, September 23, 2007
BEING TEXT OF AN ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, ALHAJI ALIYU AKWE DOMA, OON (GARKUWAN DOMA), EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF NASARAWA STATE AT A STAKEHOLDERS SPECIAL SESSION TO MARK THE 1ST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, HELD AT LAFIA ON 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2007
 1. It is with gratitude to God Almighty and a deep sense of commitment to the service of the people of Nasarawa State, that I warmly welcome you to this special session with the stakeholders of the State. I thank you for honouring our invitation to this occasion, which is organized to mark the first 100 days of our Administration. I pray that the Almighty Allah will continue to keep us united as a family of one people, one destiny.
2. This special session affords me the opportunity to express my profound gratitude and appreciation to you and others of the State for your support and understanding since my assumption of office as Governor. Your belief and trust in this Administration has given me encouragement and the will to continue on the path of unity, progress and development. May the Almighty Allah continue to guide us aright in our march to the promised land.
3. Ladies and Gentlemen, One hundred days is not sufficient a time to measure the success of any Administration. The period however provides an opportunity for the people to know the direction and focus of any new Administration, and to gauge its capability for the challenges that lay ahead. It also provides an opportunity for stock taking.
 4. Dear Compatriots, I assumed office as Governor with a clear vision and focus of impacting on all aspects of the development of our state. In my inaugural address, I defined our main priority areas to include Security, Education, Agriculture, Health, Tourism, Urban and Rural development, Industrialization, Solid Mineral exploitation, Housing, and Cultural Reorientation.
5. Our development strategy is anchored on the need to promote economic empowerment and the general wellbeing of our people. This Administration is committed to the entrenchment of a culture of selfless and total service to the people, as well as building a regime of transparency and accountability.
6. On taking over the reins of government, we took time to receive and study briefs from all Departments of Government, with a view to updating our understanding of the system and to reposition the machinery of Government for better performance.
7. We took off by putting in place a mechanism to complete all on-going projects in the state to enable us consolidate the foundation laid by previous administrations.
8. Education holds the greatest key to the future of our beloved State. This Administration is therefore resolved to accord it topmost priority by ensuring that all infrastructural and administrative problems facing the sector are properly tackled. One of the first challenges we faced on assumption of office, was the lingering strike by secondary school teachers over unpaid allowances. Realizing the adverse effect of the strike on our educational system, we quickly intervened and the strike was called off and mutual understanding restored.
9. In keeping with our emphasis on qualitative education for our children, the outstanding arrears to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), amounting to N280million was promptly settled. Consequently, normal collaboration between the State and UBEC has since been re-established.
10. To put a stop to a situation where our school children sit on bare floors and sometimes under trees for their lessons, we launched the Schools Facility Improvement Programme with the distribution of 3000 collapsible tables and chairs to our primary and junior secondary schools. Government has also budgeted the sum of N1.2 billion for the procurement of additional 100,000 units of the collapsible tables and chairs. Additionally, 150,000 exercise books have been distributed in the first instance.
11. This Administration has succeeded in bringing the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to the State. The State has donated a building complex and other necessary infrastructure to the University, consequent upon which a Study Center of the institution has been established in Lafia, the State Capital. We are convinced that this move will complement the efforts of our State University and make university education more accessible to our people, particularly the working class.
12. As we are all aware, education has become an expensive enterprise. To reduce this burden on parents, Government has released the sum of N100million to settle all backlogs of scholarship allowances to our students. In addition, Government has increased scholarship allowances by 15% across board with effect from the 2007/2008 academic year.
13. In a related development, the deadlock in our training scheme for Pilots in Eastern Europe has been resolved. The scheme has now been diversified in accordance with the manpower needs of the state.
14. To encourage the pursuit for higher education, Government has approved the automatic employment of all university graduates of Nasarawa State origin who possess First Class and Second Class Upper degrees. They would also qualify for in-service sponsorship for higher degrees.
15. The provision of qualitative healthcare is also one of our top priority areas. This Administration has completed the upgrading of facilities at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lafia as well as the School of Health Technology, Keffi to meet accreditation requirements. So far over N30million has been expended.
16. We have equally addressed the shortage of staff at these institutions, including the recently commissioned General Hospitals at Agbashi, Mararaban-Udege, Panda and Arikya. Already, 430 staff have been recruited.
17. We are aware that agriculture is the preoccupation of our people. Government is therefore determined to give it a deserving attention in order to empower our farmers and to guarantee food security and sufficiency. In collaboration with the Federal Government and Messrs First Produce Limited, U.K, we have commenced the construction of a Conditioning Center at Keffi, for the export of Yams and Sweet Potatoes to the United Kingdom and other European Countries.
18. In the same vein, a scheme for accelerated production of Sesame seed for export has been introduced. To this end, the launching of this year's cropping season at Doma featured the distribution of high yielding Sesame seeds to farmers as part of our sensitization strategy.
19. We have continued to guide and encourage our farmers to increase agricultural production. In this direction, the Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Project (NADP) has established 25 hectares of rice and 20 hectares of maize farms for the production of improved seeds. Government is also strengthening the agricultural extension services.
20. Ladies and Gentlemen, you may recall that in keeping with our commitment to urban and rural transformation, Government launched the Urban Renewal Programme in August 2007. Work has advanced significantly on the 16km solar powered street lighting project in Lafia, the State capital. The street lights will be switched on any time from now.
21. Preliminaries for the expansion and reconstruction of network of roads in Lafia have been completed. Works will commence soon after the rains. Similar projects will be undertaken in Greater Karu and other urban areas in due course.
22. We are, however not unmindful of the existence of uncompleted road projects across the state. I wish to assure that efforts will be made to complete such projects as funds become available.
23. Pursuant to our policy of promoting Intergovernmental cooperation, we have signed a Concession Agreement between the Federal Government, Kogi State, Nasarawa State and Messrs Swede (Nig.) Ltd for the construction of the Guto-Bagana Bridge across River Benue. The project which will cost a total of N24billion and is based on the concept of Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT). Nasarawa State equity participation in this project is 10%, translating to N2.4billion. The bridge will link Guto on the Nasarawa State side and Bagana on the Kogi State side of the River and will provide the shortest link between the Federal Capital Territory and the Eastern parts of the country. It would also include the construction of a 30km link road between Loko and Guto in Loko Development Area. The socio-economic benefits of this project is enormous, as it will open up this landlocked part of the state to the world.
24. This Administration realizes the importance of good neighbourliness in the pursuit of our development goals. In a bid to open a new vista of inter-Governmental cooperation we are reaching out to Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory. Apart from enhancing cooperative governance, it is envisaged that this approach will promote economic ties and peaceful co-existence among the people.
25. Ladies and Gentlemen, you are all aware that our state has a lot of Tourism potentials waiting for development. Accordingly, Government has embarked on Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative with some investors. They include the Grand Parks Ltd and Imani Resorts Ltd. More importantly, our Farin Ruwa Tourist Resort Ltd has completed the production of a MasterPlan for the Farin Ruwa Tourism Resort development. Already 50% of the liability funds for the project has been paid and the contractors have since re-mobilized back to site.
26. Power supply is crucial to industrial and socio-economic development. To this end, work on the Farin Ruwa Independent Hydro-electric Power Plant (FR-IPP) has been resuscitated following discussions with contractors and the release of the required funds to move the project forward. Other problems associated with the project are also being addressed. All things being equal, the project shall be completed early next year.
27. In the 2007 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) held in Makurdi, Benue State, our State emerged the overall winner and received the Golden Gong of the festival. This is by no means a small feat.
28. Similarly, our Golden Eaglet, King Osanga, MON, did the state and the country proud by impressively participating as a member of the National Team that won the 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup championship in South Korea.
29. I have since congratulated King Osanga and the State contingent to the NAFEST on behalf of the Government and people of Nasarawa State. A befitting State reception is being planned for them in the near future.
30. In our efforts to boost commercial activities as an instrument for economic empowerment, Government has continued to fund the construction of Lafia and Keffi modern markets. Other viable markets will receive similar attention in the future.
31. To support our State economic empowerment strategy, this administration has concluded plans for the establishment of a State Micro-Finance Bank in collaboration with private investors. The bank which will have branches in Local Government Headquarters, will access loans for small and medium scale enterprises.
32. We are poised to provide employment opportunities for the various segments of our society. Our objective is to expose our youth and women to skills acquisition for gainful employment. To this end, a sensitization workshop for unemployed graduates of our tertiary institutions was held in Lafia recently. Plans are also underway to expand, reorganize and fund our Relevant Technology Centers to promote skills acquisition.
33. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is our belief that in order to realize our vision for accelerated progress and development, we must properly place the Civil Service in the scheme of things. The State Civil Service has therefore been reorganized and repositioned for effective service delivery. We are determined to transform the Service to a facilitator and provider of public services.
34. In a bid to boost workers morale, all outstanding arrears of Leave and Transport Grants have been settled, while salaries and overhead costs are now being released promptly. The demand for 15% salary increase is being negotiated with our workers. Staff training has also been intensified to expose public officers to modern management techniques.
35. The State Pension Commission is being established in accordance with the provisions of the enabling laws to handle the new pension scheme. It is hoped that this arrangement would rationalize pension matters and its attendant disquiet.
36. We salute our traditional rulers for their roles as custodians of our cultural values and our partners in progress. We appreciate their support and words of wisdom and shall continue to cooperate with them in their demand for a constitutional role. In the meantime, we shall continue to partner with them in our development efforts in accordance with the provisions of the enabling State Law
37. My dear compatriots, security has always been an important component of any Government. We would therefore continue to protect lives and property and to promote the general welfare of citizens. Bomb attempt on my person or not, we cannot be deterred from doing what is fair and right to all. We shall therefore remain resolute in supporting and cooperating with law enforcement agencies in their untiring efforts to bring about law and order. Government shall also continue to promote peaceful co-existence among the various communities and interests in the state.
38. Permit me to point out that this Administration has a clear vision, mission, objectives and strategies for the implementation of its policies and programmes. Let me therefore reiterate my personal commitment to moving Nasarawa State forward and making it one of the most prosperous States in Nigeria. To achieve this objective, we will utilize the available human, financial and material resources to the optimum.
39. Ladies and Gentlemen, in our journey to the proverbial promised land, we must be prepared to pass through valleys, deserts and mountains. Consequently, sustained sacrifice is of essence in the Nasarawa State Project. I therefore call on all elected and appointed officials, traditional rulers, civil servants and indeed all our citizens to show greater commitment, patriotism and hardwork in public and private life. In building Nasarawa State of our dream, we must be exemplary in our conduct and always respect the rule of law and constituted authority as well as maintain mutual respect for each other at all times.
40. Finally, let me now draw the curtain in this address by extending our sincere gratitude to His Excellency, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, GCFR, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has provided support and inspiration to us. Mr. President has confirmed his resolve to partner with us and other states generally in actualizing the Vision 2020 Action Plan. We remain grateful to him for his leadership and words of wisdom.
41. My appreciation is also extended to supporters and contributors of ideas that have helped us to sharpen the philosophy and content of this Administration. In particular, I thank the leadership and members of our great Party - the PDP, elected officials in the National and State Assemblies, serving and retired public officers, our youth and women groups who have kept faith with us all along. I cannot forget to thank the Civil Service for their hardwork and dedication as well as members of the Press for their support and cooperation.
42. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me once again extend my hands of friendship to those who lost in the general elections. I urge them to come and share in our vision of a prosperous Nasarawa State. I must sincerely thank those politicians and political parties who have heeded our call for cooperative governance in the over-all interest of the State. I assure that the doors of this Administration will always remain open.
43. I thank you all for taking the time to honour us with your esteemed presence.
44. May the Almighty Allah continue to bless and guide us all in our various endeavours.
45. Thank you.
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