By Rabiu Doma
Nasarawa state Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has opened the Pandora box on the reason why Local Government election is yet to be conducted in the state.
Al-Makura stated this while fielding question from newsmen in Lafia in a Television live program tag NBS Media chat an event commemorating his two years in office.
The Governor identified some of the constraint militating against the non-conduct of council poll to the pending litigation between the then dissolved Local Government chairmen during the reign of Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma as a major hiccups delaying council poll in the state. The Governor said the democratization of the third tier of Government will only be realistic after the verdict of the court of competent jurisdiction.
He added that his administration’s cardinal objective include ethical reorientation of the society. He however averred that his Government will develop a curriculum in schools that will instill values for the younger generation. He appealed to the people of the state to remain calm by obeying constituted authorities at all times.
The Governor while commissioning the multimillion gadgets procured for the digitization of the Television and Radio arm of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) stated “we are full of hope that it will create the desired waves and impact not only within the State, but across the country at large”.
The digitization of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service is in compliance with requirements of the International Broadcasting Organization (IBO) which had directed that all broadcasting Houses migrate from analogue to digital system by 2012. But due to inability of most stations to meet the deadline, an extension was granted to enable the organization and proprietors to comply.
Governor Al-Makura buttressed that NBS facilities were in comatose compounded with epileptic signals confined to Lafia metropolis and its environs. He said that the epileptic signal is detrimental to other parts of the State as they were completely kept in the dark about policies and programs of Government.
“It is pertinent to state that despite the paucity of funds vis-à-vis the capital requirement for the digitization process, Government was committed to offer quality broadcast services to the people of the State. Accordingly, Government awarded contract to Pinnacle Communications Ltd. Out of seven (7) companies that bid for the project. It is worthy of note that the digitization project cost the State Government the sum of Two Billion, Thirty-three Million, Eighty Hundred and Sixty-two Thousand, Six Hundred Naira (N2,033,862,600.00) only. It is also important to state that this vital project covers the Lafia and Keffi Stations”.
The Governor commended auspicious and cordial relationship that exist between opportunity to appreciate the commitment of the leadership and Honorable members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for their unwavering support and cooperation towards realizing this noble objective. “It is my hope and expectation that this project will open vistas of invaluable socio-economic benefits for the people of Nasarawa State whose mandate all of us as leaders occupy our respective offices”.
He also commended the Management and staff of the NBS for their resilient, commitment and dedication to duty. Al-Makura used the occasion to approve the payment of weighing allowances to workers in media outfits.
Similarly, efforts are being intensified to reposition the Nasarawa Publishing Company Limited and the State Government Printing Press to complement the services of the NBS.
