Benue State Government has approved land measuring one hundred and fifty hectares (150) opposite Akawe Torkula Polytechnic in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the state capital for the establishment of a Naval base.
Consequently, the state has also embarked on the construction of 16 number roads within Makurdi metropolis at the cost of N9. 2 billion naira with another approval from the federal government for the general rehabilitation of Gboko-Lessel-Ihugh-Tse-Mker, Aliade-Gboko-Yandev and Oju-Otukpo federal roads.
These were some of the decisions reached by the Benue State Executive Council meeting held recently at the Government House, Makurdi chaired by Governor Fr Hyacinth Alia.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula alongside the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals who briefed journalists on the outcome of the meeting, said the land was expected to house among other things; a Naval barracks, hospital, primary/secondary schools and recreational centre.
Sir Kula explained that in spite of the presence of other security formations in the state, establishment of a Naval base in the state has equally become necessary, following the mirage of insecurity that is bedevilling the state.
The governor’s spokesman told journalists that due to current economic realities, council has also upgraded the approval limit of the state governor from fifty to two hundred and fifty million Naira (#250 million) as approved by the former administration in 2003.
He further added that restructuring of ministries was also approved by the state decision making body following creation of additional new ministries by the present administration.
The council, according to the Chief Press Secretary, also approved a supplementary budget which will soon be sent to the state House of Assembly for consideration.
The governor’s image maker said monies earmarked for projects that will last for more than six months before completion by the immediate past administration and inherited by the present administration have been redirected to projects that will run within the 2023 fiscal year under the term virement.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Sir Kula told journalists that a comprehensive engagement has taken place between government and the host community where the land for the establishment of a Naval base has been secured to avoid boundary issues while about three hundred million Naira (#300, 000, 000) has been earmarked for full compensation.
