GOVERNOR Hyacinth Alia of Benue has announced plans to revive the Igumale Cement Factory and upgrade the College of Education, Oju to a more standard institution.
Alia made the announcements separately on Thursday at Town Hall Meetings with residents of Oju/Obi and Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituencies.
The meetings were part of the governor’s statewide Town Hall Meetings and Thank-You Tour across the 11 federal constituencies in Benue.
He assured residents that the ongoing construction of the Oju-Awajir Road would be completed, promising additional projects to accelerate development in the area.
Alia also urged Benue farmers to increase agricultural production, assuring them that investments in agro-industrial projects would provide ready markets for their produce.
He cited the Food Basket Brewery, Fruit Juice Company, revived Taraku Mills and other industrial investments as efforts to establish a functional agricultural value chain.
According to him, the emerging agro-industrial sector would reduce post-harvest losses and end the practice of farmers selling their produce at giveaway prices.
On security, the governor reiterated that no part of Benue would be ceded for ranching, insisting that the land belonged to the people and should remain available for farming and other legitimate purposes.
He said his administration would continue to fight insecurity until lasting peace was restored, while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of an Army Division in Benue.
The governor said the division, with headquarters in Makurdi and deployments across strategic locations, would strengthen security in the state.
He thanked the Igede people for supporting his administration and also supporting the president and urged them to sustain the partnership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, traditional rulers in Oju/Obi conferred on the governor the chieftaincy title, “Ogakwu of Igede Land,” meaning “Strong Man of Igede,” in recognition of his leadership and development efforts.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Sam Ode, highlighted interventions in roads, agriculture, agro-processing, healthcare, education and security across Benue South.
Ode said the projects reflected the administration’s commitment to balanced development and urged residents to sustain their support.
The APC State Chairman, Mr Benjamin Omale, said the governor had prioritised the welfare of the people alongside physical infrastructure.
Omale urged party members to strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Executive Chairman of Oju Local Government Council, Mr Ominyi Adah, welcomed the governor and commended his administration’s interventions, assuring him of continued support.
The Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Mr Nicolas Oworo, commended the governor’s achievements in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare and human development.
Similarly, the member representing Oju Constituency in the Benue House of Assembly and Chief Whip, Mr Cyril Ikon, appreciated the governor for the ongoing Oju-Awajir Road and other projects.
At Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, the governor also met traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders and other stakeholders as part of the tour.
The Chairman of Ado LGA, Mr Oche Oche, commended the administration for executing legacy projects and appointing indigenes of the constituency into government. (NAN)
