|
Listen now
|
Nathaniel Gbaoron, Lafia
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has assured that, with all things being equal, commercial oil drilling activities in Keana, will commence in the next four or five years.
This is just as the Governor also assured that his administration will attract private investors to come in and develop the oil potentials of Keana just as it was done in Kolmani, in Gombe State.
Engineer Sule disclosed this while addressing the mammoth crowds that turned up for the rallies organised by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Keana and Obi Local Government Areas, on Wednesday.
The Governor said however that, all these are only possible, if there is peace, as according to him, no investor would venture into an area where there is no peace and security.
“God has blessed Keana with educated people. By the grace of God in the next four or five years, work will commence in Keana. This will happen however only if there is peace. Once there is insecurity, no investor will come to develop the area. This is the reason why the people must ensure they live in peace with one another,” he stated.
Engineer Sule assured that, with peace in both Keana and Obi, his administration will attract investors to come and develop the God given potentials of the area.
He explained that aside from the highest grade of coal deposits found in Obi, there is also an unprecedented discovery of crude oil underneath the coal, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Obi to carry out exploration activities.
Engineer Sule used the opportunity of the events to call on the people to shun politics of rivalry and acrimony and to go about their political campaigns with decorum, as according to him, only God gives power.
He assured that it’s not in his character to attack members of the opposition.
“As already stated by my predecessor, all we are doing is to tell you what we have done and will do. It’s left to the opposition to also say what they have done or could offer. However, if someone lacks what to say, he is left with no option than to attack his opponent,” the Governor said.
Speaking also both in Keana and Obi, State Chairman of the APC, Chief John Mamman, has said that, among all the governorship aspirants in the state, only Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has the proven capacity and competence to make Nasarawa an oil producing state.
Chief Mamman cited the Governor’s vast experience in the oil industry both nationally and internationally, as well as his ability to attract investors, as what stands him out among the other contestants.
He added that, it’s for these reasons and more that the party has repeatedly passed a vote of confidence on the Governor, therefore called on the people of Keana to vote Engineer Sule again, as well as all other candidates of the party.
Also speaking, a lawmaker representing Nasarawa South at the Red Chamber, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, said Engineer Sule has vast experience in the oil industry, having risen to the position of Managing Director of African Petroleum over twenty years ago.
Senator Al-makura said the Governor since his election in 2019 has discharged his responsibility beyond expectations. “Governance is not a tea party. Engineer Sule has distinguished himself across the country and the world at large. Over 20 years ago he was the Managing Director of AP,” he stated.
The former governor called on the people not to waste their votes but to ensure they cast their vote for the APC that will be victorious in the 2023 general elections.
“In this country, if you are not a member of the APC, you are lost. Don’t go and waste your votes on a party that will not win. APC has 22 governors out of 36, 78 out of 109 senators and over 300 members of the House of Representatives. What will make you waste your votes, especially that we have a government that is working hard to bring about development and prosperity,” Al-makura stated.
He however cautioned against politics of brigandage, urging the people to shun acts capable of heating the polity, especially that during the 2023 general election, there won’t be ballot box snatching or stuffing.
On his part, a lawmaker representing Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency, Hon. Abubakar Nalaraba, said the APC government has delivered dividends of democracy to the people of Keana Local Government Area, stressing that, anybody who tells the people not to reelect Engineer Sule, as well as other APC candidates, doesn’t mean well for the people of the area.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Keana Local Government Chairman, Hon. Sanusi Abdul Giza, appreciated the Governor for the development strides so far recorded across the state and in Keana Local Government in particular.
Hon. Giza particularly cited women and youth empowerment, with youths of the area recently employed as teachers in tertiary institutions owned by the state, construction of the Keana/Adudu, 20km Kadarko/Kwarra roads, as well as the ongoing construction of the Keana modern markets, amongst others.
The Keana council chairman commended Engineer Sule for giving the councils autonomy and financial independence, which he said, afforded him the opportunity to embark on projects that he will invite the Governor to commission.
As part of activities lined up for the campaigns, Engineer Sule paid homage at the palaces of the Zhe Migili, HRH Dr. Ayuba Agwadu Audu, who conferred on the Governor, the traditional title of the Santurakin Migili and the Osana of Keana, HRH Alhaji Abdullahi Amegwa Agbo III.
Also, free medical outreach that will last for seven days each and sponsored by Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA), were flagged off in Keana and Obi, to provide people of the areas with quality health care service.