Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State

The Nasarawa State Government says it will henceforth sanction unregistered associations in the state.

Bamaiyi Anangba, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, stated this at a sensitization workshop for associations and voluntary organizations on Tuesday in Lafia.

Anangba said the registration of associations was important for their activities to be recognised and supported by the state government.

He added that the state government could stand as guarantor for a registered association applying for loan in any financial institution.

“If you are operating in the state and not registered, automatically, you are running an illegal association and we will take action against you.

“We will engage the security outfits to arrest you,” he said.

The commissioner hinted that a committee that would collaborate with security agencies would soon be set up to check unregistered associations.

“Our take home for today is registering all the associations in Nasarawa State.

“The government will watch their movement, watch their meeting so that where we need to advise them, we will advise them; where they have problem, we come in,” he said.

He added that the state currently has about 250 voluntary associations.

(NAN)