Nasarawa-Eggon (Nasarawa State) – The National Secretary, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr Labaran Maku, on Thursday urged the Federal Government to monitor the utilisation of monthly allocations by state governments.
Maku made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at his country home in Wakama Village of Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
Maku, who was APGA`s governorship candidate in the state during the April 11 polls, said the action was imperative due to alleged misapplication of the allocations by some state governors.
“Given the downturn in the price of oil in the international market, it is important that every state gives priority and invest its resources in sectors viable enough to generate money in future.
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“It is time that the federal government advise and monitor the state governments on how to prioritise and use the little resources that are coming to the state on things that would better the lives of the vast majority of the people, “ he said.
He advised state houses of assembly in the country to ensure that budget proposals presented by governors captured projects from their respective constituencies before giving their approval.
The former Information minister also advised the Nasarawa State Government to stop the ongoing airport project in the state and channel the money to better the welfare of workers.
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Maku appealed to the government to generate employment opportunities for the youths.
According to him, “given the high rate of poverty and unemployment in the state, building an airport should not be the priority of the government now.
“The N17 billion embarked for the airport project should be used to support agriculture, rural infrastructure, skill acquisition and build cottage industries among others to generate employment.
“If not for the few people going for pilgrimage exercise to Mecca and Jerusalem, which is 98 percent government sponsor, how many people can afford to travel by air in the state, “ he added.
The APGA scribe noted that airports built by other state governments such as Benue and Plateau were most times not functional, with no passengers and no means of generating revenue.
He therefore advised the state government to renovate the existing air strip in Lafia and stop the ongoing N17 billion airport project. (NAN)