Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has officially commissioned a fleet of heavy-duty equipment procured under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, a initiative supported by the World Bank.
The newly acquired fleet includes an amphibious swamp buggy, bulldozer, grader, dump truck, and low-bed truck.
The equipment is designed to enhance the state’s capacity for land restoration, gully erosion control, and the desilting and dredging of blocked waterways across vulnerable communities.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Sule emphasised that climate change, perennial flooding, and erosion represent immediate threats that the state can no longer ignore.
He highlighted that acquiring the machinery allows the state government to execute direct, large-scale interventions internally rather than relying on costly third-party contractors.
“These machines represent another milestone. Flooding that we see every day is real, erosion is real, and these are major challenges we cannot ignore. Today, we will be able to handle land restoration and desilting ourselves”, Governor Sule stated.
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The Governor commended the World Bank for consistently recognising Nasarawa as a leading state in the implementation of the ACReSAL program.
He also praised the National Coordinator of ACReSAL, National and State project officials, and the Ministry of Environment for their hands-on leadership and dedication.
Addressing operational sustainability, Governor Sule approved the request by the Ministry of Environment to recruit qualified, technical personnel to manage and maintain the heavy machinery.
He directed the State Civil Service Commission and the Head of Service to work directly with the ministry to onboard competent operators, including expatriates if necessary.
However, the Governor delivered a stern warning regarding accountability, stressing that technical skill must be paired with integrity. Citing a recent incident in the UmuAisha community where public healthcare assets were allegedly diverted and sold by medical staff, Governor Sule disclosed that he has ordered a full investigation, directing that culpable individuals be dismissed and prosecuted.
He warned that any mismanagement or theft of public assets, including the newly commissioned machinery, will meet swift legal sanctions.
Governor Sule further assured citizens that if the equipment is deployed effectively and managed transparently, his administration will procure additional fleets before the end of his tenure to further strengthen the state’s environmental defences.
Earlier in her address, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, described the commissioning as a decisive shift from planning to practical execution.
She noted that specialised equipment like the amphibious swamp buggy would enable interventions in difficult, waterlogged terrains where conventional machinery fails.
Elayo outlined plans for inter-agency coordination with bodies such as NASAMSA, NEMA, NIHSA, and local government councils to address interconnected ecological problems.
She also appealed to residents, traditional rulers, and community leaders to protect drainage channels and desist from dumping refuse in waterways.
