Governor Nasir Idris has settled a debt of N18 million owed by the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kebbi to the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).

The debt was unpaid money for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem by Christians from Kebbi, who had been hanging it for a long time.

Responding to an appeal by members of CAN, who paid a courtesy visit to the governor in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, Mr Idris directed the secretary to the state government, Yakubu Bala-Tafida, to immediately settle the debt.

He also donated an additional N30 million to CAN for the welfare of its members.

Mr Idris further ordered funds to complete CAN’s secretariat in Birnin Kebbi.

”Government will consult with the relevant agencies and authorities on the provision of a Christian cemetery and additional land for the construction of more Churches in the state capital.

”My administration is all-encompassing. We will give everyone, section and creed, a sense of belonging, and the government will continue to assist Christians on pilgrimage to Jerusalem,” he pledged.

The governor thanked CAN members for their support, loyalty, and cooperation with him and his administration.

”I am aware of the prominence of health. I have given money to at least eight Christians to travel abroad for medical treatment. This government will sustain provision of welfare packages to Christian community during festivals like Christmas, Easter and whenever the need arises,” Mr Idris explained.

He used the forum to announce that the federal government had revoked the contract for the construction of the Koko–Dabai road for incompetence by the contractor.

”Kebbi government has received approval to go ahead and reconstruct the road to be compensated afterwards; we shall execute the job whether Kebbi is reimbursed or not, because our people are the major beneficiaries.

”Work will commence immediately the process of documentation is finalised,” the governor announced.

CAN chairman Ayuba Kanta expressed solidarity and support to Mr Idris and his administration.

”We thank the governor for putting God first in governance as testified by the creation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Commissioner in the Ministry is doing a good job.

”The governor has appointed a special adviser on Christian religious matters. We have other advisers and special assistants. There are more than 30 Christians in the government circle, this is highly commendable. You are a man of God.

”Your Excellency, Christians have other requests on possession of a cemetery, additional land to build Churches and welfare packages. Sir, you have carried along adherents of all religious beliefs, and you have executed projects to uplift the living standard of the Kebbi people. We commend you. Christians will sustain prayers for your success,” Mr Kanta assured.

(NAN)