**State to get Over N1 Billion in FG Allocation from Solid Minerals

By Abel Abel, Lafia

The longstanding dispute between the Nasarawa mining community and two mining companies has been resolved by a federal government agency under the Ministry of Solid Minerals.
The resolution was announced yesterday in Lafia by the Ministry of Solid Minerals during a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House.

The Minister of Solid Minerals, represented by Mr. Obadiah Nkom, Director General of the Cadastre Office in Abuja, disclosed that the ministry had submitted a report on the conflict between the mining companies and the Nasarawa State government.
The report detailed the resolution, which included the allocation of 70 hectares of disputed land for mining activities, with 30.4 hectares allocated to the state government.

Mr. Nkom explained that the decision to share the site was made by a committee established to resolve the issue, and he expressed hope that all parties would adhere to the agreement to ensure peaceful coexistence.

Furthermore, Mr. Nkom announced that Nasarawa State has been chosen to host the 6th Council of Mining and Mineral Resources Development meeting in September this year.
The meeting, approved by the Federal Executive Council, is part of the roadmap for the growth of the mining industry.
It aims to engage stakeholders, significantly increase the mining sector’s contribution to the global GDP, and create a globally competitive sector capable of generating jobs and offering competitive shares to all stakeholders across the mining value chain.

The minister also acknowledged the achievements of Nasarawa State in the mineral sector, highlighted by the groundbreaking event of a Lithium Processing Industry in Nasarawa Local Government Area, the largest of its kind in the world.
He noted that the state is becoming an investment hub for mineral and other businesses, thanks to the business-friendly climate created by the current administration’s policies and programs.

As a result of these achievements, Nasarawa State has joined the ranks of four states earning over a billion naira from federal government allocations related to solid mineral royalties.

In response, Governor Abdullahi Sule commended the Ministry of Mining for resolving the conflict and assured that the 1.5 cadastre unit area allocated to the state would be used transparently to develop the host community.
He also expressed gratitude to the federal government for choosing Nasarawa State to host the 6th National Council of Mining and Mineral Resources Development meeting, noting that the event will attract more investors to the state, which is rich in mineral resources.

In a move to address poor maintenance culture, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has announced plans to establish a Facilities Management Agency to maintain infrastructure developed during his administration, highlighting the need for sustainability.

This announcement was made at an induction ceremony hosted by the Institute of Global Facilities Management, where the governor was represented by Alhaji Abubakar Odah Akum, who received an Honorary Fellow award.

The Institute’s President, Omachi Jonah, emphasized the importance of such an agency, citing examples from Kaduna and Lagos, and noted it would address issues related to poor maintenance culture in the state.

The governor expressed support for the initiative and sought collaboration with the Institute.
The event also recognized various dignitaries and inducted new members from the Federal Polytechnic and other fields.
Awards, including plaques and certificates, were presented to the honorees.

From Daniel Abel Lafia

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Sunday flagged off the disbursement of $250, 000 World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) loan to farmers from 10 communities in the state.

The project is a World Bank assisted in collaboration with the federal government and Nasarawa state.

Speaking at the event in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) the governor indicated that the disbursement was in line with the vision of the state and Federal Government to support farmers to boost their productive activities on farm.

Sule added that the state government had recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10, 000 farmers in the state to support farming.

The Governor explained that the ACReSAL loan is a revolving and interest free to farmers aimed at boosting agricultural output and improving the livelihood of the beneficiaries.

According to him, the 10 benefiting communities were from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

The governor added that climate change has brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers.

He said that his administration would continue to collaborate with partners to provide resources and support that would cushion the effect of climate change and tackle poverty in the state.

“To this end, We are partnering with the Federal Government, World Bank through ACReSAL project help vulnerable communities to adopt to the impact of climate change.

“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve income of the communities and generate employment.

“Enhance farmers and communities capacity for climate smart agriculture through technology and innovation and enhance understanding of sustainable agricultural practices to help address conflicts,” Sule added.

Gov. Sule expressed appreciation for the selection of Nasarawa State among the right piloting states for the scheme.

He said that the state government would support farmers to implement community climate resilient initiatives beyond the lifespan of the ACReSAL project.

He therefore urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant for.

On her part, Dr Joy Iganya-Agene- Task Team Leader ACReSAL said that 620 farmers comprising 367 male and 253 female from the 10 communities of the two LGAs were given the free interest agricultural loan.

Iganya-Agene who is also a Senior Environmental Specialist World Bank Nigeria Office, listed the communities in Doma to includes Ohiha, Madative, Odurigya, Yalwa and Alagye, while those from Toto are; Zolo, Umasha, Dereegba, Ayiwawa, and Sere.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Aliyu Ogah, Andoma of Doma expressed gratitude to the state government and the organisation for the gesture to farmers in his domain.

The royal father expressed optimism that the support would help toward improving productivity of farmers in the benefiting communities.