The Benue State Executive Council (SEC) has approved N30.2 billion for the construction of five rural roads across the state. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, made the announcement during a briefing after the SEC meeting at the Government House in Makurdi on Tuesday.
The amount represents 60% of the counterpart funding for the road projects, with the remaining 40% to be provided by the local governments in the affected areas.
The approved roads include the Awajir-Oju, Adikpo-Kotiyo-Vandeikya, Ushongo-Har, Igwumale-Agila, and Obagaji-Okokolo-Agagbe roads, which will serve the state’s three senatorial zones.
In addition to the road projects, the SEC resolved to domesticate the Disability Act in Benue State to improve the rights and living conditions of persons with disabilities.
Kula also revealed that a N10 million donation was approved for the Nigerian Legion in honor of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
Furthermore, the SEC approved N567 million in compensation for the Mbagwa and Mbawa communities in Makurdi Local Government, whose lands have been earmarked for a federal housing estate project.
The meeting also saw the establishment of the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency, which will regulate billboards, signposts, and other advertising activities within the state.
Additionally, Kula announced the lifting of the suspension on the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Fidelis Mnyim. Mnyim had been suspended by Governor Hyacinth Alia for including Benue State in a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Mnyim was reinstated after he withdrew the state from the legal challenge.
