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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has dismissed allegations by his predecessor, former governor Samuel Ortom and former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, that his administration was diverting or embezzling funds meant for local government councils.
The governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, described the allegation as “mere propaganda”, insisting that the administration was committed to strengthening the local government system and ensuring that councils deliver meaningful development to the people.
Kula, who stated this while briefing newsmen on Friday at Government House, Makurdi, was reacting to recent comments by Chief Ortom and Aondoakaa during a television programme.
According to him, the 23 local government councils in the state were autonomous, with their chairmen implementing projects in their respective areas.
He said the state government had adopted a collaborative approach with the councils, explaining that local governments contribute 40 percent while the state government provides 60 percent for some joint development projects, particularly roads and other public infrastructure.
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Kula listed some of the projects to include the Oju-Konshisha road, Apa-Agatu-Gwer West road, Igumale-Agila road, Mbagwaza road in Ushongo LGA, Sankera-Chito-Vaase road and Adikpo-Koti-Vandeikya-Tse-Ke road, alongside interventions in healthcare and other social amenities.
He also cited projects in Guma LGA, the home council of former Governor Ortom, where he said the Chairman Maurice Orwough has constructed a 5km asphalt road in Udei and Umenger.
According to him, the Guma council chairman had also embarked on the renovation of the local government secretariat road in Gbajimba, with N4 billion earmarked for the project.
In Katsina-Ala, Kula said the council chairman and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, (ALGON), Justin Shaku, had contracted the construction of a 21km Yooyo road and renovated the council secretariat.
He said, “Governor Alia is not embezzling local government funds; rather, he is injecting funds into them. You can challenge the governor on other fronts, but not on governance because he is keeping his covenant to the people.”
Kula strongly opposed the political alliance between Ortom and Aondoakaa, describing the combination as “poison” capable of harming the state.
