Benue Residents Commend Governor Alia For His “thank You Tour” Initiative
By Eric Adah-Makurdi
Democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. And, when the people elect their leaders, it is expected that they will bring good governance to the people, in terms of providing basic amenities to the people whom they are representing such as provision of portable water, electricity, good roads and protection of lives and properties. It can also be seeing in the area improving the standard of living of the people. Anything short of these is unacceptable by the electorates.
In 2015 when the people cued up and voted for Governor Samuel Ortom as Governor of Benue state hoping that he will deliver good governance and improved the standard living of the people as he promised during his campaign tour, across the LGA areas, when he took oath of office on the 29th of May, 2015. There was much expectations from the people but the government keeps assuring the people that things will get better as his government has inherited empty treasury.
However, the story changed when the federal government stepped in to assist the states through bailout funds, to clear owed arrears of their workers.
In Benue state, the federal government first gave the Ortom administration the sum of 28 billion naira, according to Faave kwaghtor of Ushongo town. He said former Governor Ortom’s administration was not transparent with public funds.
He argued further that “Ortom failure started when he could not utilize the first bailout funds transparently, for the purpose that it was meant for. In his words: “if the funds were properly used to clear the backlog salaries of workers by now, this present administration would have no challenges with workers arrears to clear.”
Faave said 28 billion naira that Benue state Government received from the Central Bank of Nigeria , as it shared the bailout fund from the federal government for payment of backlog of salaries to workers was the policy of the Buhari led government to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers.”
He said decayed government infrastructure under Ortom was abandoned, with no attention giving to any.”
Faave said “in one year, Governor Alia has excellently done well by prompt payment of workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuity across board, no wonder he is nicknamed Mr. 25, by Benue workers.”
He also said without borrowing, the governor has constructed and completed some standard projects in the state capital. And the governor has awarded many more roads for construction across the LGAs as he embarked on a “thank you tour. This gesture is the first of its kind in the state.”
Also speaking, Engr, Terer Iorse, from Katsina Ala described “the 8 years of former Governor Ortom administration as wasted and prayed that it’s something that should not happen to the state again.” He expressed sadness that “in spite of the huge sums of money that accrued to the state in the eight years of the Ortom government, nothing tangible is on ground.”
Engr. Iorse said “Ortom also received Paris Club refund amounting to billions, though in tranches, the aim was defeated as the money was embezzled.”
He also argued that “any government that cannot provide the basic amenities such as good roads, electricity, portable water and to also improve the standard living condition of the people has failed and Ortom administration is a perfect example.”
He scored governor Alia high, so far. He added that even though he inherited empty treasury and huge debt by Ortom government, he is doing well as he promised the Benue people.
Apart from prompt payment of salary Iorse said “Governor Alia has done well in terms of construction of streets in Makurdi and the award of contract for the underpass in Makurdi and Gboko towns.”
Engr. Iorse thanked His Excellency Governor Alia for the “thank you tour” to Sankera axis and for the many roads construction he awarded in the area.
He appealed to the governor to also consider Sankera- Ayati- Sai road for construction as it is the shortest route from Zaki Biam to Sai.
In a chat, Mr. Justin Olofu from Apa LGA said “as local government workers, their conditions became pathetic and disgusting, even the fertilizer that is been sold at a cheaper rate and is available down to the council ward by the Alia administration, could not be accessed by Benue farmers.”
He said “the coming of the Rev Fr. onboard is a prayer answered for the Benue people. Since the beginning of this administration, Governor Alia has not failed.”He is optimistic that Governor Alia will clear the backlog of arrears that he inherited from Ortom administration. Olofo also expressed happiness with the modern and standard roads constructed by the Governor. He thanked the Governor for the “thank you tour” and described it as “the best decision taken by the governor.”
