The Federal Government has approved the construction of two dams in Lafia and Tide and the completion of the Farin Ruwa project for hydropower generation.

Governor Abdullahi Sule made this known at the state executive council meeting, which was held at the Government House on Friday.

The governor read out the letter of approval from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, signed by the Minister, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, for the construction of a dam each in Lafia and Tide, and the completion of the Farin Ruwa project for the purposes of hydropower generation, irrigation, and water supply.

According to him, the Minister requested support in the areas of community sensitisation, compensation, and security for the sites of the projects.

Sule equally presented another letter before the council from the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, requesting approval to host the sixth edition of the National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development in Lafia in August 2025.

Alake, in the letter, noted that Nasarawa State is selected to host the National Council on mining and mineral resources for the years 2024 and 2025 because of the prominent role the state is playing in the area of solid minerals development.

“In case August is not convenient, we work with whatever date that His Excellency is giving us because we want to ensure that the event is held in Nasarawa State,” the minister said.

The council also deliberated on the planned visit by President Bola Tinubu to the state to commission some projects as part of activities marking his second year in office.

The Governor disclosed that he is in receipt of communication indicating that the President is willing to visit Nasarawa State between the 16th and 25th of June, urging members of the council to immediately commence efforts to prepare for the event.

“I received a call during the weekend that Mr. President gave us dates to select and to get back to him to confirm. He gave us a wide range and asked us to select. He said that he is willing to come to Nasarawa State to commission these projects on any date that we select between the 16th and 25th of June,” he said.

Also, as part of the agenda for the meeting, the Governor brought up the issue of the N9.75bn refund from the Federal Government for taking over ownership of the Lafia Airport, now known as Usman Dan Fodio Airport.

He briefed the council about his earlier meeting with critical stakeholders, where it was decided to deploy the refund towards completing the Kwandere-Sabon Gida Road.

“The consensus during the meeting was that we should try as much as possible to utilise that airport properly. And the only way you can get that airport properly utilised is for us to continue with the construction of the road between Kwandere and Sabongida,” he said.

Other issues brought up for discussion at the council meeting include the ongoing screening and verification of teachers already recruited by the erstwhile Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC).

The Governor disclosed that a consultant hired from Lagos to conduct the screening and verification exercise has discovered that over 3,700 teachers were recruited instead of the approved 1,000, as well as the appointment of administrators for development areas and inroads being recorded under the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NSPHDA).

Sule officially announced that he is handing over the affairs of the state to his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, as he proceeds on a 10-day vacation to enable him to observe this year’s holy pilgrimage to Makkah.

He urged the members of the council to accord the Acting Governor maximum cooperation.