From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Director-General, Bureau of Special Projects and Infrastructure in Benue State, Professor, Gabriel Akpen has reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to pilot government affairs in a manner that would benefit all citizens of the state.
The director-general, who stated this while exchanging views with journalists on Thursday in Makurdi, admitted that government is aware of the challenges that the people had experienced in the past, maintaining that Governor Alia has designed the allocation of projects in such a manner that no community, area, town or zone will be left behind.
He said government intends that if a road is constructed in Obi Local Government Area for example, another phase in the next allocation should go to Ogbadibo, from zone C, then Zone A and B respectively, expressing optimism that as government progresses, a lot would be covered for the benefit of the masses.
Giving a breakdown of work during the period under review, Professor Akpen said government has awarded contract for 21 new roads within Makurdi metropolis with 15 already completed, while others are at various stages of completion.
He gave some of the major road projects to include the 52km Oju- Awajir, Igumale- Agila road in Ado LGA, Obagaji-Oshugbudu road, all in zone C, Ushongo- Vandeikya road spanning Ushongo and Vandeikya in zone A, Adikpo- Kotiyough in Vandeikya road with a spur to Tsemker, Branch Atser- Kornya- Wuese road which is fully state funded, three major underpasses under construction in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo Local Government Areas, explaining that government is collaborating with local government councils to construct roads under 60-40 percent funding model with the state providing 60 percent and councils producing the remaining 40 percent.
The director-general, who highlighted other projects being done by the present administration such as reactivation of the International Conference Center at IBB
Square, Makurdi, renovation of commissioners quarters, construction of additional township roads in Otukpo and Gboko, provision of street lights and construction of drainage canal to prevent flooding in Makurdi township among others, appealed to communities yet to be reached to exercise patience.
He assured that Alia intends to reach the nocks and crannies, explaining that the Bureau has adopted an open door approach where letters are collected with various communities presenting their needs.
Professor Akpen appealed to journalists to project the good works of the governor, advising them to feel free to go round, look at the projects so that they would inform the public who depend on the media for accurate and unbiased information.
Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Benue State Council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber lauded government for providing the dividends of democracy to Benue people and appealed that it renovate the NUJ Secretariat, as well as construct the road behind the secretariat.
