By Brenda Agba
The Benue State Executive Council has approved a supplementary budget of thirty billion, two hundred and ninety six million, two hundred and seventy seven thousand, two hundred and eighty one naira, sixteen kobo (N30, 296,277,281.16) to be forwarded to the Benue State House of Assembly for subsequent approval.
This was made known by the Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula while briefing journalists on the outcome of the state Exco meeting held Thursday at Government House, Makurdi.
According to the Chief Press Secretary, Exco also raised the approval limit of the Executive Governor to two hundred and fifty million naira (N250m) to enable the governor meet up with the current economic situation as he steers the affairs of the state. The CPS explained that before the recent development, the governor’s approval limit was fifty million naira (N50m).
Sir Kula said, “Council also approved land measuring one hundred and fifty hectres opposite the Alfred Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi to be handed over to the Nigerian Navy. This land will be used for the establishment of a Naval Base with other facilities including the Naval Provost School, a hospital, primary and secondary schools as well as other training facilities, noting the enormous benefits the state will get, especially in the area of security”.
The CPS disclosed that approval was also given for the construction of 16 number roads within Makurdi metropolis at the sum of N9,200,060,000.00, adding that other major towns in the state including: Gboko, Otukpo, and Katsina-Ala will soon benefit even as plans to open up rural roads are also in the pipeline.
“Following the Executive Governor’s appeal to the federal government, approval has been given for the total rehabilitation of the Gboko-Lessel-Ihugh-Tse Mker and Aliade-Gboko-Yandev as well as Oju-Otukpo Roads.
The state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Hon. Martin Shaagee and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Bemsen Mnyim, who were also part of the media briefing, in their separate remarks, explained that Exco also approved N369,875,306.00 for compensation for members of the community whose land is approved for the Nigerian Navy.
They also assured that the land issue between the Nigerian Air Force and Ugondo community will soon be settled once and for all as the governor has already set a committee to that effect.
