By Sunday Iduh
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said that open grazing and the review of the Land Use Act being advocated by President Mohammadu Buhari, in order to grab lands for herdsmen will be resisted by states.
He stated this shortly after he undertook a tour of some completed and ongoing projects in Makurdi recently.
He explained that everyone was free to do any legal business in the state, noting that there are lands in the state for any one to do whatever business provided they respect the laws of the state.
“Any one that is interested in ranching of animals should come and the state will give him land on lease for him to do his legitimate business. Anything short of that will not be tolerated.
Those advising Mr President are the ones causing problems in this country. Nigeria has never had it this bad like we are experiencing currently under this All Progressive Congress (APC) led government.”
“I have refused to join the APC despite the intimidation. I will remain with my people and build a better Nigeria. I can not be blackmailed by anyone in this country,” he said.
He also reiterated his commitment to the development of the state despite paucity of funds.
The governor expressed dissatisfaction with the contractors that handled the renovation of Arabic and LGEA Pilot Primary Schools at Kwararafa Quarters. He directed the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to immediately ensure that desks are supplied to all the primary schools in Makurdi as he would not want to see any child sitting on the floor or benches again. He noted that supply of furniture will be extended to other parts of the state.
“Currently, we have counterpart funding that has been allocated to us, another 1.6 billion naira. We are sourcing money from the bank to make it 3.2 billion naira. Out of that, we are going to provide desks again to continue with the upgrade of our primary schools.
“The reason is that primary school is the foundation of every child. We want our children to be grounded and very sound before they get to secondary and tertiary institutions. If the foundation is faulty then you can be sure of having faulty education for any child,” he stated.
The governor however, commended the contractors that handled the construction of the 9.4 kilometres Apir-Nyon road and the electrification of communities along the road.
He directed the Commissioner for Works and Housing and that of Finance to ensure the completion of the Old Banquet Hall block which also houses the Governor’s Office within the next two weeks.
Other projects inspected are: renovation work at the permanent site of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on Anyaka Street, Old GRA; Benue Television and the permanent site of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service.