Nasarawa sports ministry defends N776m budget proposal
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Honourable Salisu Abubakar Haske has defended his ministry’s 2019 budget proposal of Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Million Naira (N766, 000,000) 2019 before the State’s House of Assembly Committee on Youth and Sports Development headed by, at Assembly Complex, Lafia.
Haske on Friday who had spent just seven days in office since his appointment said the proposed budget estimate for the ministry was to sustain the current momentum of the State Government in youth and sports developmental projects.
“This administration of Umaru Tanko Al- Makura is a people-oriented government and development-driven with focus on quality service delivery and substantial dividends of democracy to all Nasarawa State’s indigenes.
“Both His Excellency and this Committee see youth and sports as integral part of good governance and key to economic growth.
“We promise that the Committee will partner with the Ministry to move Nasarawa State to an enviable height,” he said. While commending the Commissioner for his intelligence, calm spirit, proactive and positive approach to the Ministry, the Chairman of the committee and Deputy Chief Whip, Honourable Usman Yakubu Dodo urged him to ensure the quick appointment of a substantive Technical Adviser for Nasarawa United Football Club, speed up the formation of a new Nasarawa United Football Club’s Feeder Team, expand adequate attention to other sports, and make findings on the true position of the Nasarawa State Youth Empowerment Scheme, NAYES, as regards which Ministry is responsible for its activities.
While assuring that it will work in tandem with the Ministry in ensuring its goals and aspirations are met, the Committee also advised the Ministry to organize grassroots sport competitions to curb youth restiveness in the state.