By Our Reporter

In a move aimed at deepening grassroots development and improving critical infrastructure, the Nasarawa State Government has approved the sum of ₦13 billion for the construction of asphalt roads and drainages across the state’s 13 local government areas.
Under the initiative, each local government area (LGA) is to receive at least one kilometre of asphalt road, complete with drainage systems, a development expected to significantly improve connectivity, ease transportation challenges and enhance the living conditions of residents at the community level.
The approval was disclosed on Monday in Lafia, the state capital, by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Aminu Mu’azu Maifata, during a ministerial press conference.
According to Mu’azu-Maifata, the road projects are a direct outcome of the financial autonomy granted to local government councils by Governor Abdullahi Sule. He explained that beyond granting autonomy, the state government also put in place a coordinating framework to ensure transparency, accountability and prudent use of council funds.
“The structure reviews the monthly demands of each local government in line with their statutory allocations and internally generated revenues,” the commissioner said. “Based on this process, funds are released to address priority needs identified by the councils.”
He revealed that 30 per cent of the approved ₦13 billion had already been released from savings to the various council chairmen, adding that construction work has commenced in all LGAs and is progressing at different levels of completion.
The commissioner noted that the road projects are expected to stimulate local economies, reduce rural-urban migration and support the state government’s broader development agenda by bringing infrastructure closer to the people.
The ministerial press conference was organised by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Ibrahim Tanko, as part of efforts to brief the public on achievements recorded by various ministries under the current administration.
With work already underway, residents across Nasarawa’s local government areas are hopeful that the projects will mark a turning point in rural infrastructure development and reinforce the impact of local government autonomy in delivering tangible benefits to communities.