Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has tasked the Board and Management of the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC), to try their best and remain apolitical, stressing that once politics is introduced into such a sensitive organisation, the aim will be defeated.
This was as Governor Alia sought for sincere and mutual collaboration between the NCDC and the Benue State government.
Governor Alia, who stated these when he received in audience the board and management of the Commission led by Mr. Cosmos Akighir and Dr. Cyril Tseenyil, at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House – Makurdi, said his administration’s priority is to ensure that insecurity is reduced to the barest minimum and the people living in IDP camps are properly resettled.
In the words of Alia; “We have done a lot to ensure we have peace in the state. We have drastically reduced the number of local governments that were gravely infested by insecurity.
“Already, there is relative peace in other larger parts of the state. But security is like a monster. Cut the tail and another part of the body will spring up. Cut the hand and you see another part of the body developing to cause havoc.
“Most importantly, we are resolute that our people must go back to their ancestral homes. The people of Benue State deserve peace to continue to feed the nation,” he said.
Other areas the Governor solicited for collaboration include agriculture, employment and infrastructure in the rural areas.
According to him; “Agriculture value chain must be in the front burner to create overreach on the demands. In our budget this year, we have prioritized rural development.
“But, because these particular areas were neglected for a long time, no matter how much money you budget, it will not be easy to have immediate impact, hence the need for support from your commission,” he stated.
