Jigawa governor lambasts Jonathan again

*Denies the N11billion FG invested in Jigawa airport project

*Forgot the multi-billion Federal University in Jigawa State

*Fails to mention the Almajiri and girl-child schools built by President Jonathan in Jigawa State

JIGAWA State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, on Friday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of breaching campaign agreement and neglecting Jigawa State.

He made the accusation when he received the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who paid a courtesy visit to him in his office.

The governor challenged the Federal Government to go beyond its usual practice of making promises and provide the people with the basic things they require to live.

He said, 'conferences, dialogues are not what the people require to have confidence in the Federal Government, but rather, they prefer to be convinced with what they can hold on to as evidence to believe they are being taken care of.'

Lamido also did not hide his displeasure with the minister, saying 'it is unfortunate that you, the minister, are just coming to Jigawa for the first time in your life, despite serving in that capacity for two years and Jigawa people are part of the people you are serving as minister. Yet, you know our state has a vast arable land for agriculture.'

It is surprising that the Governor forgot that the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah declared that the Federal Government invested N11billion in the airport project. Oduah made the announcement in the presence of the Governor, who did not deny.

He said further: 'I have on my own planted over 13 million trees since the inception of my administration. I have built an agro-allied cargo airport in the state and there is no single support whatsoever from the Federal Government.

'The people of the country are simply telling us that we are playing lip service to their plights. What they want is actuality. I'm sorry for being blunt; but it is the true. I can't hide my feelings.'

Earlier, the minister had assured the governor of a renewed consultation between the state and Federal Government in area of agriculture.

Adesina promised that three rice processing mills would be provided for the state, alongside revitalisation of the Hadejia Jama'are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) for the revamping of irrigation in the areas.

He noted that the state had over 300,000 hectares of arable FADAMA land for irrigation that would adequately be utilised through the HJRBDA.