By Matthew Ajai-Kume
Benue State House of Assembly has urged Benue State government to prevail on the Federal Government (FG) to take a critical consideration on the renovation, rehabilitation and construction of federal roads in the state.
The state House of Assembly made the prayer during plenary on Thursday at the Assembly Complex in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The House which noted that federal roads in Benue State are death traps also called on National Assembly Members from Benue State to follow the matter of rehabilitation and construction of federal roads in the state as a matter of urgency. They commended the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom for his unrelenting efforts in the rehabilitation and construction of the roads.
Earlier, moving a motion of urgent public interest on the matter, Terkaa Ucha, Member representing Tiev Constituency said, at the moment, federal roads in the state are better described as death traps.
Ucha stated that, Awajir – Tse Agberagba – Ogoja road, Makurdi – Naka – Adoka road and Gboko – Ugbema – Jato-Aka road are in a sorrowful and deplorable state.
He further stated that Gboko – Ihugh – Tse-Mker road, Makurdi – Aliade – Otukpo road, Abinsi – Agasha – Wukari road, Ugba – Zaki-Biam road, Yandev – Buruku – Ugba – Zaki Biam road, Otukpo – Obi – Oju road, Aliade – Oju road and Ogobia – Onyangede – Ankpa road are also in a deplorable state.
Seconding the motion, Peter Onche representing Obi Constituency agreed with Ucha’s motion for its imperative to the state, while the House Majority Leader, Damian Cheme, representing Gwer West Constituency described the motion as timely and a matter of urgent action.
The House, during its Thursday plenary received a letter from Ekiti state government signed by the State Governor, Chief Femi Fayemi which was read by the Speaker Titus Uba, notifying the House of the death of the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Fuminiyi Afuye.
Meanwhile, Member representing Ukum Constituency, Thomas Mlanga also officially notified the House of the gruesome murder of some of his constituents and two Police officers at Gbeji community in Ukum Local Government Area of the state by people suspected to be armed Fulani herdsmen. A minute silence was observed for the departed souls.