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Tag: Benue

  • Benue gov, Alia speaks on alleged rift with SGF, Akume over appointments

    Benue gov, Alia speaks on alleged rift with SGF, Akume over appointments

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia on Saturday said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, was his leader and he does not have any problem with him.

    Alia disclosed this during his maiden media interaction with journalists at the Government House in Makurdi.

    According to reports, there were speculations that there was crisis between the two because of the Governor’s choice of Chief of Staff and SSG.

    He said there was no single problem or crisis between him and the SGF, adding that Akume is his leader and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North Central.

    “I don’t have any crisis with the SGF. He is my leader and the leader of the APC in the State and the Zone. People are creating their perceived crisis where there is no crisis.

    “As a State, we made plans to welcome him home but the entire North Central Zone, including the FCT, said they want to be part of it so the plans are on the way,” he said.

    The Governor also expressed shock that some people in the State accused him of choosing the leadership of the State Assembly explaining that he did not know anything about it.

    “I’m amazed that you said I chose the leadership of the State Assembly. I did not. I’m a Catholic Priest and we are trained to be at least trusted.”

    He said since assumption of office, he has started the renovation of the State House of Assembly and the State Secretariat which were all in very bad shape.

    The State Secretariat was built during the adminstration of late Gov. Aper Aku between 1979-1983.

    Alia said he discovered 2,500 ghost workers in the first phase of staff verification and payroll audit for teachers and staff of local governments which has saved the State N1.2 billion.

    He also said his administration was committed to peace building and the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the State.

    He said that upon assumption of office he has stopped all forms of illegal mining, multiple taxation among others for efficient and effective business environment.

    Alia disclosed that few minutes after taking his oath of office he froze all State accounts because people wanted to short change the State, adding that some of them are still frozen because he is yet to go through them.

  • Corruption still fighting  back in Benue – Alia

    Corruption still fighting  back in Benue – Alia

    Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has described as blatant lies the rumour spreading the round that he did not forward names of commissioner nominees to the Benue State House of Assemly,  disclosed by the speaker Mr Aondona Dajo.

    The cleric governor who was reacting to insinuations mostly from the opposition camp in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Mr Tersoo Kula made available to journalists in Makurdi, insisted that there is no way those overtly tainted by corruption in the manner the immediate past PDP government did that would not fight back, adding that it is a fact that when corruption fights back it does so vigorously and described the action as one of those attempts to fight back.

    The Benue governor accused former governor Samuel Ortom’s PDP of loose talking hicks, propaganda and peddling falsehood, arguing that if the PDP still thinks Benue people are gullible and as such would believe any unsubstantiated allegations that float around with the pathetic aim of seeking cheap attention and relevance as a political party was a mistake.

    Governor Alia further challenged the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the state to show proof that names of commissioner nominees were not submitted to the Benue Assemly before or within 60 days as demanded by the constitution from the date of proclamation of the Assemly, pointing out that the House was on recess and was only called back for an emergency sitting for the purpose of receiving and attending to the list submitted to it..

    The governor further explained that except the PDP needs some extra tutorials of governance,it is well known that under the presidential system of government, where the governor sends list of commissioner’s,it was no longer his responsibility to compel the Assemly to commence action on the list immediately and reminded the PDP that they were roundly rejected and cast out by Benue people like the biblical swine for failing the people after eight years of misrule and argued that the Benue PDP lacks moral high grounds to speak for the people as doing so would be imposition.

    The Benue governor argued that for the immediate past administration to level corruption charges against the present government amounts to refusing to tore the path of honour most especially that the immediate past government were so given to corruption to an extent that it became a way of life during their eight years two term tenure in office.

    Governor Alia who said the PDP must forget the old order which was firmly hinged on the retrograde principle where anything goes for the past eight years, reminded the opposition that he had a pact with Benue people that the people are earnestly yearning for which is a departure from the endless heists deviously perpetrated by those with hearts at their backs.

    According to the cleric governor, those wearing crowns of corruption shall continue to cry, gnash their teeths as his administration would continue to press it harder for Benue people to smile again, adding that a new Benue is possible with the journey already started as the people including civil servants, medical doctors, NYSC members posted to the state, farmers and the business class are clapping and dancing joyous mood on daily basis.

  • No amount of propaganda can stop recovery of Benue assets – Alia

    No amount of propaganda can stop recovery of Benue assets – Alia

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, on Thursday said no amount of propaganda will stop the ongoing recovery of all looted state assets by the Assets Recovery Committee.

    This was contained in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Tersoo Kula and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

    He said his administration will use every lawful means to recover all looted assets of the state.

    “But what Ortom and his media men must know is that Gov. Alia and his government cannot be stampede. It remains focused and determined to use every lawful means in recovering all stolen assets that belong to the state.

    “Benue people who have been victims of the many years of the PDP maladministration are solidly behind the government and its mission to recover all stolen assets.

    “What those who are crowning themselves “witches’’ should know that the Assets Recovery Committee is on course and no amount of media facts-twisting and lie-peddling will stop them from carrying out their mandate based on their terms of reference,” he said.

    Kula said following information on vehicles illegally acquired and diverted by former governor and officials of his government by the Assets Recovery Committee, the PDP and Ortom’s media team had gone into a media overdrive.

    He said the enemies of the state have been issuing streams of statements, mostly contradictory, in a bid to muddy the waters and curry undue public sympathy since the recovery of exotic cars by the committee.

    “Governor Alia entered into a covenant with Benue people to deliver good governance and pull the state back from the precipice that he is committed to doing to the latter.

    “Alia is focused. He knows where he is heading to. Everything has a foundation and so is good governance.

    “If Alia succeeds only in entrenching discipline, bringing sanity to the management of state resources, prudent management of resources, accountability, transparency,  equity and inclusiveness, then other things will certainly fall in place,’’ he said.

    He said the PDP, its Publicity Secretary, and the former governor’s media should not think that media frenzy would twist the narrative and flip the issues in their favour.

    “Most of the youth penning down commentaries to support the greatest heist in the history of the state are graduates who are still riding motorcycles without jobs.

    “Alia led government is focused and its sights are set on delivering good governance to the people,’’ he said

    The State Assets Recovery Committee on Tuesday raided a private automobile workshop company in Makurdi and recovered over 20 exotic cars from it.

  • Benue gov, Alia denies witch-hunting Ortom

    Benue gov, Alia denies witch-hunting Ortom

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue said he was focused on governance and service delivery to the people and not after his predecessor, Mr  Samuel Ortom.

    Mr  Terver Akase, a media aide to Ortom and the State Publicity Secretary of  the PDP, Mr. Bemgba Iortyom, had accused Alia of  harassing and witch-hunting Ortom.

    This is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula on Wednesday in Makurdi.

    Alia said he was focused on governance and service delivery and do not have the time to go after Ortom or trivialities.

    He said that the Assets Recovery Committee inaugurated on June 22 was not to witch hunt anyone, but to recover government property sold and kept in the wrong hands.

    “Ortom was not and has never been the target, as his aide and the publicity secretary of his party would want the  Benue people to  believe in a bid to curry  public sympathy.

    “The discovery and recovery of numerous vehicles at a private building within the state capital by the committee, is an indication that they have truly swung into action.

    “In fact, all patriotic Benue citizens should be happy, and must commend the Committee for daring to carry out the assignment given to them by the government without fear or favour,”he said

    He said committees of this nature were not new in the State, adding that Ortom did same in 2015 and allegedly recovered items from individuals.

    “The discovery and recovery of numerous vehicles at a private building within the state capital by the committee, is an indication that they have truly swung into action.

    “But one thing is sure. Benue people were surprised to see the number of cars recovered at a property belonging to someone they once held in trust,”he said.

    Alia said Benue people witnessed a regime that was characterised by broad day rape of their common wealth.

    He said that his administration was out to render service to the people and not to engage in propaganda.

    “We witnessed a regime that supervised broad-day robbery and rape of our common patrimony. Let it be made abundantly clear that the old order is gone, and gone for good.

    “The good thing is that the discovery and retrieval of more Benue assets currently in the wrong hands, will provide the right ground for accountability in the Alia led administration in the state,”he said.

    The Assets Recovery Committee on Tuesday, raided a private automobile workshop company and recovered over 20 exotic cars from it.

  • I’ll not betray the mandate of Benue people like PDP – Alia

    I’ll not betray the mandate of Benue people like PDP – Alia

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has said that the Benue chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, lack the moral justification to rate his 30 days administration, pointing out that reconstructing a collapsed system takes more time.

    The governor who was reacting to criticisms of his 30 days administration in an assessment by the PDP, reminded the major opposition to note that an administrations performance is not measured in a month .

    Alia whose reaction was contained in a statement signed by his chief press secretary Sir Tersoo Kula, made available to journalists at the weekend, argued that changing a collapsed system left behind by the immediate past government needed series of well- planned and properly guided steps, lamenting that Benue State ever it’s creation has never been this devastatingly raped and wrecked.

    The governor who said he was not complaining despite reckless abandon of civil servants and retirees for the past eight years of brazen misappropriation of alleged 28 billion naira collected from the federal government as bailout funds to offset backlog of salary arrears, a development that left workers on the path of misery for eight years despite monies coming into the state coffers from different sources including federal allocation, IGR and other interventions, described the quick fix request by the PDP as unfortunate, insisting that the task of resetting Benue is a covenant that he has chosen to keep and is not oblivious of the basic moral commitment.

    He further argued that doing appraisal and posing as voices for the same people the immediate past administration which imposed pains and penury for eight years  shouldn’t be done by the same vicious team and party that midwifed and nurtured the monstrous status and current challenges bedeviling the state.
    The governor described as nauseating for the PDP to have the courage and boldness to continue to lie to the people who are still bearing the brunt of the hardship brought upon them by the same party now claiming to be standing on abstract high moral grounds to raise voices of criticisms against a government that is demonstrating satisfactory capacity to tackle the challenges imposed on the people by the past administration.

    The governor who informed the public  that he was not interested in building his administration on propaganda and falsehood as was the case with the past government, said he was not complaining despite the wreck caused by the Ortom government which has placed much responsibility on his shoulders as what to be done, adding that aside from the approval and resumption of payment of salaries the PDP government left behind, renovation work on the almost dilapidated Benue Assembly complex is on going.

    ” For eight years under an Ortom administration the roof of Benue Assembly complex suffered severe leakages in the face of decayed furniture and moribund office equipments” Alia said, adding that within 30 days the administration has visited hot spots of crisis and equally interfaced with such communities to bring innovative ways of building lasting peace.

    The governor further revealed that within 30 days in office he has had critical meetings with investors within and outside the state to bring about development to the state, adding that within the same period under review the ill- timed appointments and last minute recruitments carried out by the PDP government at the twilight were revoked, expressing disappointment while the major opposition has chosen to turn a blind eye to these giant strides.

    The governor who said if former governor Samuel Ortom had done well in office as the PDP has now resulted to lying would have been elected senator and his party enjoying landslide victory in the last general election, advised the party to learn from it’s mistakes as well as stop lying since the attitude did not pay the party well, adding that Benue people should not worry about the future as he would not betray the mandate given him like Ortom and his party the PDP.

  • Mbaivur/Mbasombo crisis: Benue Speaker calls for ”ceasefire”

    Mbaivur/Mbasombo crisis: Benue Speaker calls for ”ceasefire”

    Speaker of the Benue House of Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, has appealed to the people of Mbaivur and Mbasombo in Ikpayongo axis of Gwer-East Local Government Area to sheathe their sword and allow peace to reign,

    Dajoh made the call in Makurdi during a meeting with stakeholders from Gwer-East local government area.

    He invited President Generals of the Masev Development Association in Mbasombo and Mbaivur as well as Ter Gwer for meeting within five days from Thursday, in order to resolve the crisis between the two communities.

    The speaker who briefed newsmen after the meeting, called for immediate ceasefire between the two communities.

    He also called on president generals of Mbasombo and Mbaivur to initiate process towards withdrawing all pending litigations regarding the land within five days in order to pave way for resolution of the problems.

    ”If you fail to resolve the crisis, the Benue government will take over the disputed land and send all occupants out.

    ”I urged security operatives to wade in and ensure that anyone of whatever status found sponsoring or causing trouble in the area to be brought to book,” he said.

    Also speaking to newsmen after the meeting, president general of Mbaivur development association, Mr Atime Ikyo, thanked the state government for taking steps to end the five-year-old crisis.

    ”I will go back home and inform my people about the resolutions. I promise to do anything in my  power to end the crisis,” he said

    The Mbaivur/Mbasombo crisis which was triggered by a dispute over land between the neighbouring communities has lingered for five years and all measures by the previous government including the suspension of the traditional rulers of both communities failed to rest the crisis.

  • Benue council chairmen only suspended to pave way for investigation- governor Alia

    Benue council chairmen only suspended to pave way for investigation- governor Alia

    Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has described as blatant lies allegations emanating from a section of the media that he has sacked Local Government Council Chairmen in the state.

    Recall that council chairmen who were elected under the platform of the PDP accused the governor of sacking them

    But Alia while reacting in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Sir Tersoo Kula at the weekend in Makurdi, explained that the governor only upheld the recommendation by directing the Council Chairmen to handover government property in their possession and offices to the various DGSAs of their council’s.

    He expressed disappointment with the action of the Council Chairmen by resulting to blackmail and lies, insisting that they were only suspended from office and not sacked as was being speculated, arguing that the move was to pave way for a seamless investigation.

    The governor maintained that he merely acted on the correspondence from the State House of Assembly which recommended suspension of the said Council Chairmen, stressing that further actions could only be taken when investigations into the corruption allegations levelled against them would be completed.

    Governor Alia who equally denied knowledge of any court judgement describing such a development as mere speculations, pointed out that as a law abiding citizen, he would never do anything to breach a court order, arguing that even if there was any court order compelling government not to sack the Chairmen, there is no order barring government from investigating the Chairmen.

    The governor who wondered whether the council Chairmen have been misled into assuming that they are entitled to political immunity as elected council chairmen, advised them to feel free if they have no skeletons in their cupboards by allowing those carrying out investigation to complete their assignment rather than jumping here and there, advising that if they must come to equity they should be prepared to do so with clean hands.

    The cleric governor who insisted that the  Council Chairmen remained suspended from office pending the outcome of investigation, urged them to be patient as they would be availed the opportunity to defend themselves before the House of Assembly ad-hoc committee, assuring that those who would not be found guilty would be reinstated.

    The council chairmen who were elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, by the immediate past government last Saturday, during a press conference in Makurdi, accused the Father Alia APC led government in the state of flouting a court judgement by going ahead to sack them from a two year term in office.

  • Just in: EFCC Arrests Ex-Benue Governor, Ortom

    Just in: EFCC Arrests Ex-Benue Governor, Ortom

    Former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State i has been arrested by operatives of Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Makurdi the state capital.

    The former Governor who turned in himself around 10 am at the Zonal Head Office of EFCC in Wadata, Makurdi Tuesday, is being investigated in connection with financial misappropriation, money laundering, abuse of office and other Sunday activities during his 8-year tenure which lasted between 29th May 2015 and 29th May 2023.

    During his tenure, several Aids who were invited by the anti-graft agency had linked the former governor with every financial transaction under scrutiny.

    At the time of filing this report, the immediate past Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Joseph Utse who was arrested recently was said to still be in the custody of EFCC in Abuja

    About seven petitions about corruption were said to have been advanced to EFCC against the former governor Samuel Ortom and his deputy, Engineer Benson Abounu.

    A few days before the end of his tenure, the former governor had confirmed a series of petitions against his administration during a conversation with stakeholders to anti-graft agencies. He indicated his willingness to account for his stewardship.

    In the company of the former governor were his former Special Adviser on Media and ICT, Terver Akase and former Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mr. Abraham Kwaghngu.

  • Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia sworn in as Benue gov, unveils 7-point agenda

    Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia sworn in as Benue gov, unveils 7-point agenda

    Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has been sworn in as the sixth Executive Governor of Benue, alongside his Deputy, Dr. Sam Ode.

    Born in 1966, Alia becomes the second priest of the Roman Catholic Church to rule the state since creation in 1976.

    Alia who was sworn in by the Chief Judge of Benue State, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, immediately froze all bank accounts belonging to the Benue State Government.

    “May I announce that with immediate effect and until further notice, all Government Bank Accounts in all Banks are hereby frozen. A ‘Post No Debit’ instruction shall remain in force until all Signatories are changed. Any Bank that violates this instruction does so at its own risk,” he warned.

    He said his administration would be guided by a seven-point development agenda featuring security of lives and property, industrialization, trade and investment, as well as human capital and social development.

    Other priority areas include care for the environment to mitigate the effects of climate change, investment in
    information and communications technology, Civil Service and local government systems reform, as well as the review of laws to make Benue state investor-friendly through political and economic governance.

    “My fellow Benue citizens, these seven pillars represent a Social Contract between our Government and your good
    selves. On these promises, we shall be held to account. You hired us with your votes to deliver on these promises. We will do everything in our powers to fulfill our side of the contract,” he promised.

    He promised to work closely with security agencies and the Federal Government to ensure the safety of lives and property of Benue people.

    “We will also work tirelessly to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.”

    The Catholic Priest pledged to prioritize job creation and economic empowerment by promoting private sector-led industrialization, with a particular emphasis on agriculture.

    As part of measures to address the perennial problem of flooding in the state, Gov. Alia said Government would engage the Federal Authorities towards the dredging of the River Benue to address the flooding problem in Makurdi and other parts of the state.

    According to him, Government has already set in motion machinery for clearing blocked drainage systems in Makurdi metropolis, pending when a comprehensive solution would be found to the perennial flooding of the state capital.

    “To provide immediate succour to the army of unemployed youth in the state, we shall execute this exercise through a public works scheme or direct labour”.

    He assured that in the next 100 days, work would commence on the design of a comprehensive infrastructure development programme involving unemployed graduate youth in continuation of government’s public works programme.

    “In addition, our industrial parks and technology incubation centers, designed to bring the best out of our youth and provide gainful self-employment, would be equally unveiled within the period.”

    To bring succour to the very poor people in the state, government had commenced negotiations with credible partners for soft revolving credit facilities based on good repayment record, particularly to women in all the council wards in the state, he said.

    “In addition, we have commenced discussions for revamping the moribund Benue Microfinance Bank and repositioning it as a vehicle for microcredit delivery in the state. This would domesticate the delivery of microcredit to the poor as a cardinal pursuit of our administration.”

    Alia is the second priest to govern the state as late Very Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu (12 June 1945 – 20 November 2005) became governor on 2 January, 1992, elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

  • I’m not a coward to run away from EFCC – Ortom

    I’m not a coward to run away from EFCC – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said he’s not a coward to run from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when called for questioning.

    Ortom disclosed this at his cabinet’s valedictory session held at the old banquet hall of Government House, Makurdi.

    He said; “Anytime you are invited by EFCC, don’t be afraid to go, as for me I’m not a coward to run away from EFCC, if they come for me I will follow them.

    “I don’t have any investment in Europe all I have are in this state. If I have committed any crime let the person come and show me.”

    Ortom further appreciated his council members for their contributions to the successes recorded by his administration in the past eight years. He also thanked them for praising him and promised to ensure they continue to build their relationship.