Tinubu’s Reforms Raise Nasarawa Monthly Allocation From ₦4.5bn To ₦16bn — Gov Sule

Tinubu’s Reforms Raise Nasarawa Monthly Allocation From ₦4.5bn To ₦16bn — Gov Sule

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the removal of fuel subsidy and other measures have increased the state’s monthly allocation from the Federation Account from about ₦4.5 billion to approximately ₦16 billion.

Governor Sule stated this on Saturday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, when he received members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors National Media Tour, led by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The delegation, comprising presidential media aides and more than 50 senior journalists, is undertaking a nationwide inspection of federal and state government projects across the North-Central region.

According to Sule, the significant increase in federal allocations has created greater fiscal space for Nasarawa State to execute major development projects and respond more effectively to the needs of its citizens.

The governor explained that before the economic reforms, Nasarawa received between ₦3.8 billion and ₦4.5 billion monthly from the Federation Account, limiting the government’s ability to undertake major capital projects.

“For us in Nasarawa State, we are very transparent. I came from the private sector, so every contract I give, I announce the amount that we are spending on that contract, so that people can now see the difference with the kind of money we are receiving,” Sule said.

He acknowledged that the removal of fuel subsidy and other reforms initially created economic difficulties for Nigerians but said President Tinubu demonstrated political courage by taking responsibility for the difficult decisions.

Sule said the reforms had freed up additional resources for the three tiers of government, allowing states and local governments to increase investment in infrastructure and other critical sectors.

“He took the bullet on behalf of the states and local governments,” the governor said, adding that Nigerians were beginning to see the benefits of the increased resources.

He disclosed that the additional funds had enabled his administration to embark on landmark projects covering road infrastructure, industrialisation, education, healthcare and water supply across the state.

The governor also commended the Renewed Hope Ambassadors National Media Team for undertaking the inspection tour, describing it as an opportunity for Nigerians to see government projects beyond official narratives.

During the tour of Nasarawa, the team inspected the completed multi-billion-naira state secretariat housing the Ministries of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Justice, as well as a one-megawatt solar farm powering the secretariat along Shendam Road.

The delegation also inspected the completed 16-kilometre Makurdi bypass in Lafia, which connects Nasarawa and Benue states; the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre; the Shinge Waterstorm Channel; and the completed Kilema Bridge along the Lafia-Doma Road.

Onanuga, who led the delegation, commended President Tinubu for implementing what he described as bold economic reforms that previous administrations had acknowledged as necessary but failed to undertake.

He said the President’s decision to remove fuel subsidy and subsequently float the naira was courageous, despite the initial inflation and hardship experienced by Nigerians.

“Actually, when President Tinubu came in 2023, he initiated some audacious reforms that ought to have been introduced some decades ago,” Onanuga said.

He also commended Governor Sule for supporting the reforms at the time, noting that the measures had helped to free up resources for state governments to develop their respective states.

Also speaking during the inspection of the Makurdi bypass, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, AbulAziz AbdulAziz, said the level of infrastructure development witnessed across Nasarawa and Benue states demonstrated that the Renewed Hope Agenda was producing results.

The tour is aimed at showcasing ongoing and completed projects being implemented by the Federal and state governments and providing the public with an opportunity to assess the impact of government policies and programmes at the grassroots.