By Samson Obande, Lafia

The Nasarawa State Government has secured a mining licence from the Federal Government to enable it participate directly in mining activities across the state.

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Lafia on the monthly activities of the state government.

Ahemba said the licence will allow the state to engage in mining operations aimed at boosting internally generated revenue.

To achieve this, he explained, the state government has entered into an agreement with lithium mining companies operating in Endo community, Nasarawa Local Government Area.

“The agreement has already fetched the state ₦2.6 billion. Part of the money will be used to execute projects that have direct benefits to the mining communities,” he said.

Ahemba further disclosed that arrangements have been concluded for the construction of rural roads across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state in the near future.

On workers’ welfare, he announced that Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved ₦2 billion to clear pension arrears in the state, beginning from 2023.

In the education sector, the Governor’s aide said the government has awarded contracts for the construction of three modern schools, one in each senatorial district.

He added that the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, has concluded processes for the recruitment of 1,000 qualified primary school teachers who are awaiting appointment letters.

According to him, the state government has also procured over 1,000 exercise books, school uniforms, sandals and other instructional materials for distribution to public schools, as part of efforts to tackle the problem of out-of-school children.

Ahemba called on politicians not to overheat the polity, stressing that the government remains committed to providing an enabling environment for peace to reign.

In her remarks, the Nasarawa State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Juliana Ofoku, assured the state government of the NUJ’s support to ensure the success of its programmes.