Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has signed the 2025 appropriation bill pegged at N384, 317, 384, 592. 03 into law.
This is just as Governor Sule also domesticated the Electricity Act by signing the Nasarawa State Electricity City Bill into law.
The Governor signed the two bills during a ceremony at the Government House on Tuesday.
He commended the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for accepting to pass a realistic budget for the state, stressing that his administration will fail the people of the state in the implementation of the 2025 budget.
It would be recalled that the assembly had earlier passed the 2025 appropriation estimated at N382, 567, 843, 192. 03, marking a upward review of over N1.7bn.
Governor Sule commended the Speaker and members of the House of assembly for their consideration and prompt action in passing the reviewed budget estimates.
“I understand that the members of the House of Assembly, including the Speaker had to reconvene and recalled from their holidays during this difficult period and come back and give approval to the final budget. I want to sincerely commend you for that aspect and what you did on Friday last week,” he said.
He explained that the downward review became necessary in order to make the 2025 budget realistic.
“Today Nasarawa State is making a big inroad into most of the interventions that are coming from either the World Bank or various other development partners. The only way that we would continue to enjoy what we are enjoying today is if we show that our budget is performing,” he stated.
While assuring that his administration would work diligently towards implementing the budget, he however warned that he would not allow early campaigns for 2027 to distract him.
“We are serious about this budget. We are working on a very strong team. I understand that and I respect that there is a lot of early campaigns for the office of governor, senator and the rest of that. I want you to understand that we want to work so hard as if there is no other election in front of us. We must have a very realistic team that will focus on implementation of this budget and the budget of 2026 by the grace of God,” he added.
Signing the Nasarawa State Electricity Bill into law, Governor Sule commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for encouraging industrialization, manufacturing, mining, agriculture and others.
He however noted that the only these efforts could bear fruits is when there is electricity not only in homes but to ensure that the cost of manufacturing and production is reduced realistically.
“One of the biggest areas of the elements of production in Nigeria is power. Once we don’t have our own power, it will be very difficult for us to compete with other organizations,” he said.
The Governor said Nasarawa State should be among the top 10 states that are generating their power, adding that his administration is working to ensure that identify competent persons to drive the electricity policy of the state government.
“If any state should generate its own power in the area of mining, manufacturing, Nasarawa State should be among the top ten states that are generating their power. This is not a slogan. This is not a gimmick. This is reality,” he said.
He explained that his administration is considering generating hydropower from the available dams in Doma and Farin Ruwa, as well as solar power to be generated in Keffi to balance the spread of power generation across the three senatorial zones of the state.
Governor Sule used the opportunity of the event to show appreciation to the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe for holding sway while he was away on vacation for two weeks.
“Let me at this moment also show great appreciation to the Deputy Governor for standing in there for me and doing a fantastic job while I was away. I want to thank the members of the House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council and all other good people of Nasarawa State including our royal fathers for giving him the maximum support in order for him to carry out his responsibilities,” he said.
Earlier presenting the 2025 appropriation bill before the Governor, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, commended Governor Sule for his passion to develop the state.
The Speaker further commended the synergy existing between the legislature and executive arms of government which is responsible for the speedy passage of the budget.
He said the electricity bill was accepted generally by the people of the state because of its importance.
In an opening remarks, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Finance and Budget Planning, Hajiya Munira Abdullahi said the 2025 budget tagged “Budget of Economic Stability” was carefully prepared to reflect Governor Sule’s policies and programmes geared towards the upliftment and stability of the state.
The finance Commissioner announced that the 2025 budget is made up of a recurrent expenditure of N160.6bn and a capital expenditure of N223.7bn.
“We are starting the year 2025 on the right footing. You have made prudent efforts to sustain the economic growth of the state and you are trying your best to ensure it is stable. You have an opening balance that is very very impressive going into the year 2025,” she said.
Also speaking, General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NaEPA), Engineer Yakubu Suleiman Umar, while commending Governor Sule for his tireless efforts to see to the passage of the Nasarawa State Electricity Bill, said signing the bill into law has paved the way for the establishment of a commission that would regulate electricity in the state.
Engineer Umar explained that after President Tinubu assented to the Electricity Act, it became necessary for each state to enact its own electricity law in order to regulate electricity.
“By doing that we will have series of changes, God’s willing, in accordance with the mission of the Governor who wants see that all the nook and crannies of the state enjoy electricity,” he said.
