Benue Govt. spends over N2bn on rural projects – Adviser

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has spent more than N2 billion on rural projects since May 29, 2015.

Adzer Abya, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development and Cooperatives, said this after inspecting some of the projects in Gwer and Apa local government areas of the state on Tuesday.

Abya explained that the projects which were spread across the state included rural roads, culverts and bridges as well as electrification.

He said N1.8 billion came from the N10 billion infrastructure facility provided by the Federal Government while the rest came from the statutory allocations in accordance with budgetary provisions.

He, however, appealed to contractors to accelerate their pace of work in keeping with the zeal of the administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the projects inspected included Mase-Paka feeder road with a bridge on Nchila stream at Shanna, Howe-Kinga-Shawa with several culverts and a major bridge across Ulobo stream at Tse-Gabu, and three span bridge across Gbaya stream near Taraku.

Electrification projects included Uturugh, Ageba and Shawa villages near Taraku, and Jato-Daula in Gwer as well as Upaha in Apa local government area where the construction of a rural road is also ongoing.

NAN reports that the Upaha and Jato-Daula electrification projects have been completed and energized.

The Mase-Paka road traverses nine communities of Agabee, Tswarikyegh, Shanna, Tse-Nyibiam, Tse-Unombor, Tse-Gbenshi, Hundu, Paka and Tse-Aku.

A beneficiary of the road, Mr. Aniwange Iorhaa, commended government for bringing the project to the community, saying it will alleviate the community’s suffering in the transportation sector.

At the Uturugh electrification project which covers Jiwunde and other communities, a spokesman, Moses Akura, said they will remain eternally grateful for the project, adding that when completed it would boost commerce.

Retired Army Warrant Officer Christopher Ela said at Upaha that “Ortom has done a wonder unprecedented in the community” with the completion of the electrification project.