Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has disclosed his administration’s ambitious plan to address the incessant traffic gridlock around Mararaba by constructing a flyover from Welcome to Nasarawa to Mararaba.

Governor Sule made this plan known when he hosted a coalition of Gbagyi people drawn from across Toto, Nasarawa, Keffi and Karu Local Government Councils on a thank-you visit at the Government House, on Tuesday.

According to the Governor, the span of the proposed flyover is one of the most ambitious projects of his administration which he intends to start even though he may not complete it before leaving office in 2027.

This is just as Governor Sule frowned at the indiscriminate sales of land in Karu, headquarters of Karu Local Government Area, which presently is the fastest growing council in the country.

He cautioned that while it is good to be accommodating, welcoming Nigerians to settle in Karu, indigenes of the area must trade carefully when it comes to selling off their lands.

The Governor equally cautioned against the unchecked issuance of consent letters to prospecting investors coming to mine solid minerals in the state.

He pointed that while it is understandable that the economy of the country is challenging thereby making it attractive for locals to be lured with financial gratification, many a times the people are merely surrendering stupendous wealth for pittance.

“While I commend you for being accommodating, I would also like to call your attention to the indiscriminate sale of your land. As your Governor, I have the responsibility when I see something going in the wrong direction to call your attention. I have called that attention many times,” he stated.

He pointed out that while Nasarawa State is endowed with solid minerals potentials, Karu LGA is specially blessed with the abundance of beneficial mineral resources.

The Governor therefore cautioned against the unchecked issuance of consent letters by communities for investors aspiring to acquire mining sites in the state.

“While God has blessed Nasarawa State, God has specially blessed Karu LGA. Everywhere you touch, you will find one mineral or the other that is beneficial to humanity. The next area that I caution you about is issuing consent letters to those coming to look for these minerals. When a company comes and give you 5m or 10m, without you doing any work for them, you know that down the line, there are billions of naira that you are surrendering to that company,” he added.

He therefore employed the indigenes of the area to always consult with their sons and daughters who are in position of authority and who would advise them accordingly.

“Where you don’t understand, please consult your leaders. As I said, your son is the Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals in the House of Representatives. In addition, you have so many sons who are educated, learned, well qualified, and well experienced who will guide you. But more importantly, we have a father who is going to provide guidance in the Etsu Karu. Always consult where you are having difficulties, so that we don’t end up having a problem in the name of accepting everybody,” he said.

On the projects being executed by his administration in the area, Governor Sule said his greatest desire is to tackle the debilitating traffic gridlock around Mararaba area through the construction of a flyover.

According to him, the Mararaba flyover project will be the biggest even though he may not be able to complete in time before the next rounds of election.

“The biggest contract, even if I don’t finish it, once we are able to give a flyover from Welcome to Nasarawa going into Mararaba. That is going to be the biggest solution to the traffic that you encounter on daily basis,” he said.

The Governor took out time to highlight on some of the projects being embarked on by his administration in the Nasarawa West senatorial district.

“We have just given the go-ahead to process the document for the construction of the first phase of the Masaka Market by constructing the road and fence around the market area. The next is to give the contractor the go-ahead for the construction of the market proper. We have just done that yesterday,” he said.

The Governor however took responsibility for the delay in delivering two roads in the zone namely the Adon Kasa Road, as well the Toto-Umaisha Road.

“Adon Kasa Road is one of the roads that I am not proud to talk about. The reason was that we awarded that contract three years ago. The Luvu Road contract was awarded the same period and was commissioned a long time ago. But I think in the selection of contract, the ministries made a mistake by looking for a contractor that is living hand to mouth. Once you give such a contractor the job and you make payment, he will eat out of the payment first before he handles the contract, we keep having delays. Each time they do that and times goes by, inflation comes in, variation comes, arguments come in. That is what is happening as far as that road is concerned. It is one of the three roads where we have lots of problems. The other one is the road from Toto to Umaisha.

“We made mistakes on these roads by the ministries. But with me being the Governor, I take full responsibility for these mistakes and I must correct those mistakes,” he emphasized.

On the request for the upgrade of the Dadayako Chiefdom from third class to second class status, the Governor said once the matter is adopted by the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, he would forward the matter before the state House of Assembly for consideration and passage.

Earlier, in an opening remarks, leader of the delegation and the Etsu Karu, HRH Pharmacist Luka Panya Baba, said the visit by the Gbagyi nation was to thank the Governor and show appreciation to him for all the development strides so far recorded in the state and in particular, across the western zone.

The Etsu Karu added that they were at the Government House to also show appreciation to the Governor for the recent appointments of their sons and daughters to exalted positions in the state.

They particularly appreciated Governor Sule for his stewardship which has brought about unity, peace and security across Nasarawa State.

“These people are cutting across all political divides just to appreciate and demonstrate our solidarity to you and your government, the significant and fruitful effort you are making towards uniting the diverse communities in our dear state. This has engendered peaceful coexistence and ignited the hope of citizens for a brighter future for Nasarawa State.

“Your Excellency, you have employed in every part of the state, community based conflict resolution mechanism in resolving most of the crises that have surfaced in some parts of the state. Your prompt action regarding to herders/farmers conflict in Awe, Doma and the Fulani/Gbagyi at the Farin Dutse in Nasarawa LGA and of course, the recent one in Karu LGA and even the ethnic feud between the Egbirra and Bassa have put those crises to rest.

“We sincerely commend your efforts in making Nasarawa State peaceful and convivial for development and industrialization. Nasarawa State today has become an investment haven due to your ingenuity and purposeful leadership in harnessing the rich mineral resources that the state is endowed with,” he said.

While further appreciating the Governor for all the laudable projects being undertaken across the zone, the royal father appealed for the upgrade of the Dadayako Chiefdom from third class to second class status.

Among the entourage of the Etsu Karu are Hon. Gaza Gbwefi, member representing Karu/Kokona/Keffi at the House of Representatives, Barrister Isaac Danladi, State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, State Commissioner for Health, traditional rulers, as well as prominent sons and daughters of Gbagyi.