Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has assured President Muhammadu Buhari that the refund gotten from the takeover by the federal government of the Lafia Cargo Airport, will be judiciously used towards providing basic infrastructure.

Engineer Sule specifically said 50 percent of the funds will be used to complete the Lafia/Keffi bypass started by the immediate past administration of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, while the balance will be used in equipping three science and 2 technical schools, two new general hospitals, as well as construct modern markets in Nasarawa, Wamba, Awe and Toto.

The Governor gave the assurance when he led a delegation from the state on a thank-you visit on President Buhari, at the Aso Rock Villa, on Friday.

The delegation, which cut across political party divide, was at the Aso Rock Villa, to thank the President for the numerous interventions by the federal government in Nasarawa State, specifically the taking over of the Lafia Cargo airport.

Engineer Sule particularly appreciated President Buhari for accepting to refund the total amount of money expended by the state in constructing the airport, assuring the President that the refund would be judiciously and prudently utilized in the development of basic infrastructure, healthcare provision, provision of the educational facilities, among others for the needed progress and development of the state.

“Your Excellency Sir, we are here today to show appreciation for the numerous projects executed by your Administration which Nasarawa State is among the great beneficiaries. We are here to specifically appreciate the benevolence of your administration and your personal indulgence for approving the takeover of the Lafia Airport,” he stated.

The Governor used the opportunity of the visit, to congratulate the President, for providing the conducive atmosphere and leadership, which led to the conduct of free, fair and credible primary election the produced Senator Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He pointed out that, with the exceptional leadership provided by the President, as well as the giant strides of his administration, it’s assured that such will translate into a resounding victory by the APC come 2023 general elections.

Engineer Sule equally appreciated President Buhari for finding prominent sons and daughters of the state worthy of appointment at the federal level, which has continued to give Nasarawa State a sense of pride and belonging while also giving the state opportunity to support and contribute towards national development.

He also commended the President over the ongoing construction of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi dual carriage road which has reached appreciable level of completion, among numerous ongoing projects in the state.

“In concluding, I wish to reiterate the assurances of the goodwill, support and loyalty of the good people of Nasarawa State to your administration even as you prepare to round-up your tenure as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We pray to maintain our prayers and relationships with Mr. President even after you retire to your farm in Daura,” he stated.

Engineer Sule was accompanied on the visit by prominent sons and daughters of the state, as well as traditional rulers.

Among the dignitaries that formed part of the delegation are the state Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi,first civilian governor of the state and National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and immediate past governor of the state, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura.

Others are, Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Barrister Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Rufai Ibrahim, Hon. Aminu Muazu Maifata, Chairman, Lafia Local Government Area, the Emir of Lafia, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad (rtd), amongst others.

It would be recalled that the federal government recently accepted to not only take over the Lafia airport but agreed to refund the state the money spent in constructing the edifice, to the tune of N9.75bn.