The Benue State Executive Council has approved the demolition of all structures that failed structural integrity tests as well as those built on waterways.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the State Executive Council meeting held recently and presided over by the state Deputy Governor, Barr Dr. Sam Ode, Commissioner for Works and Housing, Mr. Tiza Imojime explained that the Council also frowned at the collapsed church building at North Bank area in Makurdi which claimed the life of a pastor.
He said the Council approved that all structures within the state that failed structural integrity tests as well as those built on waterways should be pulled down.
He said the decision was to ensure protection of lives and property of people of the state.
“The EXCO concluded that every building in the state that lacks structural and integrity tests and those on waterways should be removed, ” he said
The commissioner added that exco also directed Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives, Urban Development, Works and Housing as well as that of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, to carry out an integrity test on the collapsed church building with a view to ascertaining the cause of the collapse to enable government to make informed decision.
According to the commissioner, exco also directed Benue youths to avail themselves to the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Creativity to be captured in its database for proper planning. He added that the move was to enable government get the exact database of youth in the state for effective planning and implementation of youth related policies
The commissioner explained that the Council also called on Benue people to embrace agriculture as an enabling environment has already been created by the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
He added that plans have already been concluded to address the immediate needs of the people to enable them to get the best in the sector.
On the general state of infrastructure in the state, the commissioner said plans were underway to address the same.
“I have embarked on an assessment of roads infrastructure in the state in order to have first-hand information on their status. Federal roads in the state have also been assessed and efforts are on to meet relevant federal agencies to intervene” he said.
