Nigerian Newsday

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has appealed to the executive arm of government to provide enough funds to the state ministries of lands and survey and that of the urban development to enable them perform effectively.

The House took the decision when it summoned the commissioners of the two ministries last week to brief the members on the master plan of Lafia, the state capital, and other developmental plans of the ministeries.

The first commissioner to appear before the house was that of lands and survey, Alhaji Musa Agyo who disclosed that at the moment there is no master plan for the state capital. He said the sum of N500 million has been budgeted this year by his ministry to commence the master plan, adding that the function of his ministry include demarcating and allocating land to the people, as well as providing layouts for government projects.

He however said some land are allocated by the customary land owners, whom he said his ministry has no control or power over them.

Alhaji Agyo who was the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly said his ministry lacked manpower and equipment to perform effectively, and therefore solicited the cooperation of the state House of Assembly to allow him recruit more personnel.

On his part the commissioner for Urban Development Alhaji Abdullahi Tanko Zubairu. said his ministry has provided a number of drainages along UAC Road Lafia, along the new market road including a semi carnal along UAC road.

He also said his ministry works hand in hand with the ministry of lands and survey, pointing out that the ministry of land and survey sends all papers to his ministry, on building related issues before people are allowed to construct their buildings.

He said his ministry has been doing a lot to eradicate refuge dumps in the state capital, adding that refuge collection and street naming has been the sole responsibility of the local government councils, but that Lafia being the state capital, his ministry assists the local government to ensure a clean environment. On ensuring a clean environment in the state capital, the commissioner called on the members of the House of Assembly to enact a law that would check the indiscriminate dumping of pure water leather bags all over the place.

Alhaji Zubairu said his ministry has also been trying to stop commercial activities in residential places.

The Speaker Alhaji Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo thanked the two commissioners for honouring the house invitation, hoping that the cordial relationship existing between the executive and legislature would continue. Meanwhile, the Naasarawa State House of Assembly has adopted a motion on the need for the state government to construct a good drainage system in Lafia metropolis. Raising the motion before the house, the member representing Lafia Central constituency, Alhaji Ibrahim Hamza observed that the poor drainage system in Lafia metropolis has been causing a lot of havoc to buildings and streets.

He said the streets within Lafia metropolis are littered with heaps of refuse particularly pure water leather, as well as sugar cane chaff which he said have blocked the existing drainage system in the city. Alhaji Hamza also noted that a lot of buildings in Lafia metropolis are built indiscriminately, without following the standard layout.

He also observed that though the Nasarawa State Urban Development Board has tried to provide dustbins at some places in the metropolis, the dustbins are grossly inadequate.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Samuel Auta Mboki, representing Akwanga North constituency.

After the contributions of the honourable members, the house resolved that the Nasarawa state Ministry of Urban Development should intensify efforts at clearing all sewage and refuse in the metropolis.

The house observed that there are many streets within the metropolis without the drainage system, and therefore water flows into people’s houses when it rains.

The legislators also directed the ministry of urban development to ensure that all buildings and structures in the metropolis are erected in accordance with the master plan.

The members agreed that the ministry of urban development should provide more dustbins across the streets and roads within Lafia metropolis so as to ensure a clean environment.