by Gambo Ahmed

As part of its effort to combat poverty through the National Poverty Eradication Programme, Autocycles have been allocated to Nasarawa State. In an interview with the sate co-ordinator, Alhaji Mustapha Haladima made the disclosure that the gesture is aimed at eradicating poverty especially amongst young graduates and the less privileged people in the society.

According Mustapha, arrangement are in top gear with the state government and as soon as government finishes her modalities, Keke NAPEP shall be distributed to the appropriate organ; stressing that poverty eradication is a responsibility of the three tiers of government, as well as, wealthy individuals should also contribute their quota to the less privileged saying God Cherishes any one that offers help to humanity.

Speaking further on the activities of NAPEP in Nasarawa State, said a committee is set up comprising of village Heads, Religion leaders, Health Workers, youth and women representatives who go to villages and cites to ascertain who are poorest of the poor in a given community in which selection is done to their target; adding that, thereafter, implementation committee is also set up to verify applications submitted which is always in co-operative groups before further training commences on various field of endeavours.

On constraints faced, Mustapha opined that poverty issue is enormous saying if, NI0 billion is allocated to Nasarawa State to combat poverty is insufficient; Local State and federal government should rise up to the challenges as well as urged the federal government to always meet up with the budgetary provision by backing it up with funds earmarked for the programme which will go along-way in salvaging poverty in the country.

Expressing his appreciation to the state government, he said the support getting from the state government is encouraging despite the competing demand with scarce resources, pointing out that with the setting up of a parallel organ (Bureau for economic empowerment and skills acquisition centres) across the 3 senatorial districts of the state has really helped a lots of youths, who would have been roaming the streets now engage themselves on various trades. He, however, reprimanded political office holders to help combat poverty at grass root level by identifying 10-20 poorest people, students and other less privilege ones as well train them or pay school fees, buy farm inputs for them, saying by doing so they would be of significance to the society rather than using them as thugs in order to achieve their selfish political ambition during elections.

In order to create access roads, boost socio-economic activities in Nasarawa State. The state government recently awarded contract for the construction of feeder roads across the geo-political zones, which kube chiefdom in Panda development Area of the sate is one of the beneficiaries.

Speaking in an interview with the Nasarawa State commissioner for science and technology Hon. Sylvester Atama Harri said that opening of rural roads by the state government is something to be excited with; saying because of the good feeling for the people, believe in lifting the quality of life of the people, desirous to see that every family grows a human being Gov. Doma has decided to open up rural areas by providing of contracts for feeder roads in the state with kube chiefdom inclusive.

According to him, being a koro man from Kube, he has nothing to say than kudos to the state governor. Sylvester said initially Kube was cut-off from the outside world because of the inaccessibility especially during rainy season; saying after completion of Kube road it will boost the economic activities of the area as farm produce would now be easily conveyed to the market and people will also see themselves as human beings prior to the construction. He however assured Gov. Doma's second term ambition total support as no koro man will fail him viewed from the tremendous achievements recorded within the shortest period in office.