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Tag: BNSG

  • BNSG Gets Approval to Construct Civil Aviation Airport

    BNSG Gets Approval to Construct Civil Aviation Airport

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government has secured approval from the Nigerian Ports Authority for the construction of a civil aviation airport in Makurdi.

    Briefing Journalists at the Government House Makurdi shortly after the State Executive Council, SEC meeting, Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Mr Michael Inalegu said the civil aviation airport will be of benefit to both Manufacturers and large scale farmers as well as put the Benue economy on the global market.

    In a similar vein, the Commissioner hinted that Nigeria Air piece Carrier is to resume flight operations in Benue State on 17th of April, 2023.

    He pointed out that the commercial flight operations was what the Benue State Government and people of the state have been yearning for, stating that the roads were not one hundred percent safe for travelers.

    According to the Commissioner the flight will be from Abuja to Makurdi and Makurdi to Abuja three times a week at resumption, stating that operations would be reviewed subsequently to cover Lagos, Abuja and Makurdi respectively.

  • Benue Teachers Threaten Indefinite Industrial Action, Gives 21 Day Ultimatum to BNSG

    Benue Teachers Threaten Indefinite Industrial Action, Gives 21 Day Ultimatum to BNSG

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Benue State Wing has given a twenty one day ultimatum to the Benue State Government to address pending issues from previous screening or face an indefinite industrial action.

    In a communique issued at the end of the State Working Executive Committee meeting and signed by the Chairman, Mr Levi Akuma and Acting State Secretary, Jeremiah Adadu averred that the union will henceforth not participate in screening activities until pending issues were addressed.

    ” The union will not participate in the recently proposed screening until pending issues from previous screening are fully addressed.”

    They identified some of the unresolved issues to include, outstanding salary arrears of ten months since 2017, omission of Teachers on the pay role from December, 2021 to June,2022.

    Others are; “non implementation of promotions to a large number of Teachers while some are denied full Implementation as well as denial of normalization after upgrade of academic qualification”.

    The union however lauded Governor Samuel Ortom for providing an enabling environment for Teachers to operate with relative peace.

    The ultimatum is coming on the heels of a planned protest by Concerned Pensioners in Benue State over unpaid backlog of pension arrears and gratuity owed them by the Benue State Government.

  • BNSG Donates N30 Million to Victims of Fire incident at Katsina-Ala Main Market

    BNSG Donates N30 Million to Victims of Fire incident at Katsina-Ala Main Market

    Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government has donated the sum of thirty million naira to victims of the fire incident that gutted the Katsina-Ala Main Market.

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom made this donation when he visited the scene of the incident to sympathize with the traders, and ascertain the level of damage.

    The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr Benson Abounu expressed dismay over the level of damage, even as he directed the Chairman, Katsina-Ala local government, Mr Alfred Atera to make a new design for the construction of the market.

    Ortom who appreciated God that no life was lost, commiserated with the people of the area where he directed that the money should be shared among the victims.

    Responding, the Chairman Mr Atera commended the Governor for coming to the aide of the people. He appealed to the Governor to assist in establishing a fire service unit.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Katsina-Ala Traders Association, Mr Linus Otobo lamented that items worth one billion naira were gutted during the fire incident. He appealed to the Benue State Government and other stakeholders to help in rebuilding the market.

  • BNSG to Collaborate with Development Partners to Stamp out Tuberculosis

    BNSG to Collaborate with Development Partners to Stamp out Tuberculosis

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government is to collaborate with Development Partners to step up treatment of tuberculosis in the state as the World marks Tuberculosis day.

    Speaking during the launch of this year’s day in Makurdi the state capital, the First Lady of Benue State, Dr Eunice Ortom and Champion of TB implored relevant partners to work together to Stamp out the disease in the state.

    Mrs Ortom who was represented at the event by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health and Human services, Mrs Comfort Abaa assured that she would continue to support TB campaigns.

    The First Lady enjoined the people of the state to come out for testing and treatment of the disease, explaining that efforts are being stepped up to wipe out the pandemic.

    Also speaking, the Program Manager, Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program, Dr Ishember Igbabo warned against releasing spectrum into the air to contain the spread of the disease. The theme for this year’s Tuberculosis day is ” Invest to Save Lives”.

  • BNSG Expends N1.3 Billion on Water Projects as World Celebrates Water Day

    BNSG Expends N1.3 Billion on Water Projects as World Celebrates Water Day

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government has released the sum of One Billion Naira to CGC Nigeria Limited for completion of Otobi and Katsina-Ala water projects.

    Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Dr Goodwin Oyiwona who made this disclosure in Makurdi in an interview on the celebration of World Water Day, explained that the money is part of N1. 9 billion counterpart funds for the aforesaid projects.

    Dr Oyiwona assured that the contractor would soon resume work at the two Water plants to enable people of the areas have access to clean water.

    According to the Commissioner, Benue State Government has equally paid its counterpart fund of eight hundred million naira for Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria Project, maintaining that one thousand five hundred bore holes have been provided in seven local governments of the state.

    Dr Oyiwona hinted that arrangements have reached an advanced stage to reticulate the Makurdi town to ameliorate the water challenge being faced by the people as well as restore power supply at the Greater Makurdi Water Works to ensure regular water supply.

    The Commissioner has condemned in its entirety the situation where residents have resorted to drilling bore holes as an alternative means of water, stating that such practice is having negative impact on the environment, describing it as illegal.

    He noted that an Executive Bill prohibiting the practice was before the state assembly, warning that anyone found flouting the law will be punished.

    He reiterates the commitment of Governor Ortom to ensure that Benue people have access to clean water.

  • BNSG to Review Security Strategies to Tackle Armed Herdsmen, Banditry and Communal crisis

    BNSG to Review Security Strategies to Tackle Armed Herdsmen, Banditry and Communal crisis

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government has concluded plans to review its security strategies towards tackling armed herdsmen, local Banditry as well as communal crisis for development to thrive.

    Governor Samuel Ortom made this disclosure at the Government House Makurdi during a press conference following renewed attacks and killings in Guma Local Government Area and other communities in the state by armed herdsmen.

    Ortom asserted that this became necessary due to the incompetence of the APC led Federal Government in tackling insecurity in the country, stressing that the Presidency has demonstrated lack of political will to bring the situation under control.

    ” The decision becomes necessary due to failure of the Federal Government to use its apparatus to protect Benue Communities from herdsmen attacks”, stressing that his administration won’t tolerate this heinous act any longer”.

    The Governor lamented the plight of over one million people who are in the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps due to continued attacks on farmers by herders militia.

    He called on the Federal Government to redeem its Ten Billion Naira pledge it made through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the resettlement of the IDPs in the state.

  • BNSG Donates N20 million to FAAN Towards Completion of Aviation Termination at Air Force Base

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government has committed the sum of Twenty Million Naira to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, as part of its contribution to assist the agency complete the ongoing Aviation Termination Project at the Air Force Base, Makurdi.

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom gave this indication while inspecting ongoing work on terminal, which is one of the requirements for people to commence civil flights.

    The Governor explained that the desire to provide air transportation services to the people which will open the state for several opportunities informed the basis of his administration to assist FAAN to enable it complete the project on time.

    Continuing Ortom further explained that” this is not Benue sponsored project but Federal Government and Benue State Government are supposed to complement each other, that’s what we are doing here because we want to provide air transportation services to our people.

    We thought coming in to assist the Federal Ministry of Aviation to provide enough conducive working environment for the civil services in the NAF Base is a welcome development”.

    The Governor who expressed satisfaction over the quality of work done, contended that when completed Government would acquire the required fire fighting equipment to ensure commercial flights commence operation.

  • Court Cases Hampering Implementation of BNSG Privatization Plan – Perm Sec

    Court Cases Hampering Implementation of BNSG Privatization Plan – Perm Sec

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Steven Isah has described the multiple court cases against the Benue State Government’s planned Privatization and Commercialization of Government’s owned industries and companies by individuals and groups as a clog in the wheel of the development of the state.

    The Permanent Secretary who was reacting to the recent development concerning the Implementation of the present administration’s policy on Privatization while fielding questions from Day Break in Makurdi lamented that ” the court cases are a stumbling block to the development of the state”.

    Mr Isah who hinted that there is political undertone behind the scene, however expressed optimism that the planned Commercialization would continue after all the court cases were disposed of.

    The Permanent Secretary continued: “Benue State Government thought it wise that rather than leave these industries and companies domant, it was better to give it to other managers considering the state’s scarce resources.

    ” A committee was set up to handle the activity, averring that the work of this committee is being frustrated by those who do not want the state government to go ahead with the process. ” Some people have gone to court that they don’t want what the Government is doing and they are tackling this in the court of law”.

    The Permanent Secretary explained that Government is not selling its own properties as it is being speculated in some quarters, stating that they are being given out on a commercial basis where by Government will be getting its share while the business progresses as well as get tax from those that have been privatized.

    He called on individuals who dragged the state government to court to sheathe their swords and have a rethink by withdrawing the said litigations to allow the process to continue for the benefit of all and sundry.

  • BNSG to Expend N18.5 Billion CBN”s Loan on Critical Needs, Says Gov Ortom

    BNSG to Expend N18.5 Billion CBN”s Loan on Critical Needs, Says Gov Ortom

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government has pledged to expend the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N18.5 loan on critical needs of the people of the state for faster development.

    Governor Ortom who gave this indication at the Government House Makurdi, reiterated that the funds would be judiciously utilize for the good of all and sundry.

    The Governor maintained that his administration would use the loan to offset the backlog of salary of civil servants, political appointees, gratuity and pension as well as payment of overhead and allowances to  Ministries Departments and Agencies.

    According to the Governor, part of the funds would be spent on infrastructure development of the state as well as meet the needs of the Benue State House of Assembly.

    Governor Ortom posited that Government wasn’t unaware of its constitutional mandate in managing available resources for the good of the people, assuring that he won’t succumb to undue pressures.

  • BNSG to Amend Anti Open Grazing Law to Provide Stiffer Penalties for Violators

    BNSG to Amend Anti Open Grazing Law to Provide Stiffer Penalties for Violators

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government is to amend the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to provide stiffer penalties for Violators.

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom made this disclosure at the Government House Makurdi when the Primate of the Aglican Comminion, Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba paid him a courtesy visit.

    The Governor noted that there was need to amend the law, adding that the fines prescribed were too meager, and easily letting the offenders off the hook and encouraging Violators to blatantly disobey it.

    Ortom opined that his administration will stand against Federal Government’s proposed agricultural settlement centers which he said was a deliberate attempt to annex farm lands for grazing of cattles.

    He averred that the Benue economy is being driven the Civil Service, complemented by farming which is badly affected by Herdsmen attacks. He enjoined the Federal Government to deal decisively with Herdsmen militia who are responsible for these heinous acts.

    Earlier Primite Ndukuba lauded the Governor for his commitment to the well-being of Benue people as well as provision of basic infrastructure amidst security and economic challenges.