News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
A group in Benue state, Ior-Ijemgbagh Development Association has appreciated the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia for the numerous developmental projects in Jemgbagh intermediate area.
The group has therefore, called on the people of the state, particularly, the Jemgbagh people to continue to support the to enable him deliver more democracy dividends to the people.
The Jemgbagh intermediate area comprises of of Gboko, Buruku, and Tarka Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state where the Secretary to the Government of Federation, (SGF) Senator George Akume hails from.
The group applauded the Governor for his inclusive leadership style in the affairs of the state pledging to support him all the way.
Ior-Ijemgbagh, in a statement signed by the Secretary, Tivlumun Aminde and made available to newsmen in Makurdi stated that Governor Alia has embraced every interest across the state in areas of appointment and distribution of infrastructural developments.
They distanced themselves from the statement issued recently by Jemgbagh Development Association, in which the association blamed the Governor, among other things, for neglect and constantly attempting to undermine the person and office of the SGF describing it as grossly untrue and misleading.
The Ior-Ijemgbagh group said, “Despite being from the Jechira cultural block, our Governor has shown remarkable commitment to inclusivity, embracing every interest across the state without favoring any particular bloc over the others.
“Furthermore, the governor has demonstrated strong commitment to the development of Jemgbagh area, just as in other parts of the State. The governor’s policies and initiatives are geared towards the overall development of our dear state of Benue.
“These efforts aim to enhance and improve the quality of life of our people, through various projects including construction of underpass in Gboko which is 95% completion, construction of the Ring Road from the New road running through Low Coast to Old Barn to St. Joseph Catholic Church Tyobo, terminating at under-pass at Gyado junction-under construction.
They also noted that the Governor has constructed of road on Ikyese street, Adekaa, completed construction of Ateku-Ikpenger-Akpegher road in Mbatiav, on going
constructed over 2000 solar powered boreholes across Gboko LG, construction of storey building block at Primary School Agidi-Mbatiav, and St. James Primary school Genyi Yandev, building of Mbaanue basic health clinic-Mbatiav, establishment of Science and Technical School Ateku, Mbatiav, amongst others.
“In the area of social intervention program the Governor has facilitated the release of N150,000 to over 2,500 households of Jemgbagh extraction amounting to N375 Million, igniting hope and confidence in the people of Jemgbagh and stimulating the economic growth in the local economy through his administration.
“His Excellency has also awarded 30 Micro projects in clinics, schools, and motorized boreholes scattered around Gboko, Buruku and Tarka LGAs via ALIA-CARES or BEN CARES program. Through the ACresal program, our local cooperatives have benefitted in the grant of over N30,000,000 in facilitating their Local farming and other investment activities,” they said.
The group also noted that Jemgbagh Development Association condemned the purported removal of the Speaker, Aondona Dajoh who is of Jemgbagh intermediate block.
But Ior-Ijemgbagh noted that “Aondona Dajoh voluntarily resigned his position as speaker of the State House of Assembly and the House thereafter exercised its constitutional power to elect a new speaker, and this has nothing to do with the governor of the state.
The group described the SGF, Senator George Akume as a leader in the state and beyond and called on sons and daughters of Jemgbagh and all the people of the state to support the governor in his quest to develop the state.
“The SGF remains a vital institution in our governance structure. We urge the public to disregard the baseless assertions and focus on promoting government’s tangible achievements and the welfare of the entire Benue people.”
