By Samson Obande, Lafia

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has commissioned the newly completed 12.4-kilometre Agwada-Udege road in Kokona Local Government Area, describing it as another major step in his administration’s drive to open up rural communities across the state.

Governor Sule commissioned the road on Monday, shortly after returning to the state from a brief trip to the United States.

The road, constructed with double surface dressing at a cost of N4.401 billion, links Udege-Mbeki in Kokona Local Government Area to Agwada, and is expected to cut travel time between Kokona and Nasarawa Local Government Areas by about one and a half hours.

The Governor noted that the project builds on the earlier commissioning of the 23-kilometre Mararaban Kokona to Agwada road, as part of his administration’s continued commitment to rural connectivity.

Governor Sule said the road would ease the movement of farm produce and other goods from rural communities to urban centres, and would boost economic activities in the area, particularly in agriculture and mining.

He commended the contractor for completing the project without any cost variation, stressing that his administration maintains a firm policy against contract variation once terms are agreed.

Speaking further, the Governor disclosed that his recent visit to the United States had drawn renewed attention to Nasarawa State’s solid minerals potential, particularly critical metals, with American investors and government officials showing strong interest in the state’s resources.

He said the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, is expected to travel to the United States shortly to continue discussions arising from the visit.

He added that he would also be travelling to China soon to explore further investment opportunities for the state.

On the state’s participation in the lithium industry, Governor Sule said Nasarawa State is expecting a special allocation of not less than 10 million US dollars before the end of the year, and gave an assurance that the funds would be committed to community development projects in consultation with community leaders, particularly in the Nasarawa and Endo areas.

The Governor also spoke on the state’s improved revenue position, noting that monthly federal allocations to Nasarawa State have risen significantly in recent months, a development he linked to improved national revenue performance.

He said the increased resources have enabled the state to accelerate work on several road projects, including plans to fast-track the Nasarawa-Eggon-Mada Station road and the Nasarawa-Ara road.

The Managing Director of the Nasarawa State Bureau for Rural Development, Engineer Muhammad Sani Sidi, said the Bureau has so far completed 316.907 kilometres of rural roads across the state, with an additional 133.25 kilometres currently ongoing.

He commended Governor Sule for consistently providing the Bureau with the resources and equipment needed to deliver quality projects.

The Executive Chairman of Kokona Local Government Council, Hon. Agbawu Mek Agbawu, thanked Governor Sule for prioritising rural development in the local government, and urged residents to protect the road and report any defects promptly for timely government intervention.