Benue: Gov. Alia accuses some NASS members of sabotaging his efforts

From Attah Ede Makurdi

The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Saturday, raised alarm that some members of the national assembly from within the Gwer/Gwer West federal constituency of the State, are sabotaging his efforts towards bringing developments to people of their areas.

It would be recalled that some NASS members from Benue State, had on several occasions accused governor Alia of excluding them in the scheme of things in his administration.

However, governor Alia while speaking during his thank you tour to Gwer/Gwer Federal Constituency held at St Francis Primary School Aliade, Gwer LGA of the State, accused some of the NASS members within the constituency of not wanting him to bring development to the people that overwhelmingly voted him into power in 2023.

But he further assured that they would not succeed with their plans to truncate his administration’s development agenda.

The former priest acknowledged the overwhelming support he has received right from the beginning of his administration till date and assured that he will not disappoint the people of Benue State.

The Governor promised to revive the multimillion naira Taraku Oil Mills Limited and will also carry out renovation of schools in Gwer/Gwer Federal Constituency.

“My administration has commenced the process of reviving the multimillion naira Taraku Mills Limited. I therefore commend the people for ensuring that the company was not vandalized all these years.

“I will also renovate and upgrade School of the Gifted And Government Girls Secondary Aliade that offers exchange programmes for students across the country”, Alia stated.

Speaking on the issues of land disputes, the governor said the boundary commission would soon commence demarcation of all disputed areas in the State and urged all communities to respect the demarcated boundaries going forward.

Earlier, Sen Barnabas Gemade Chairman Benue APC Elders Forum commended Gov Alia for his forthrightness.

Gemade said Gov Alia was a man of peace and urged all people in the State to embrace peace and to support him to succeed.

He said over 120 elders across the State were strongly behind the Governor and would ensure that he delivers his campaign promises.

In her welcome address, Caretaker Chairman, Gwer East LGA, Mrs Comfort Agbo said the people of Gwer/Gwer West Federal Constituency said they were “very proud” of the achievements recorded by the governor so far.

Mrs Agbo further appealed to the governor to forgive National Assembly members from the Constituency over their actions and utterances which were aimed at bringing his reputation to disrepute.

She said such NASS members were not speaking for the people of the Constituency adding that they would be made to pay for their actions during the next election.

Prof Eugene Aliegba, while commending the governor for his efforts in restoring peace in the State, also urged the governor to ensure that all IDPs return to their homes safely.

Prof Aliegba said that Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West, was overpopulated due to displacement caused by herders’ attacks which has resulted in security challenges in the area.

He also urged the governor to disregard the utterances of the NASS members from the constituency because they were not speaking the minds of the people.

Also Member, representing Gwer East State Assembly, Mr Elias Audu urged the governor to revive the multimillion Taraku Mills Ltd to improve the State economy and create jobs in the State.

Audu also urged the governor to renovate the School of the Gifted Aliade and Government Girl Secondary School Aliade which receives students all over the country as an exchange programme.

He assured the people of the State that at the Assembly, they were enacting laws that would bring development, public order and progress in the State.

Also the APC State Acting Chairman, Mr Benjamin Omakolo while receiving 2900 persons who defected from other political parties into the APC assured them of equal treatment.