From TERESE TUHWA, Makurdi
As part of efforts to boost infrastructure development in his constituency the member representing Ukum state constituency at the Benue State House of Assembly Hon. Thomas Mlanga said he has spent over 10 million naira on provision of security street lights in some communities in his constituency.
The Ukum representative at the State Assembly who made this revelation in an interview with newsmen in his office at the Assembly Complex said the funds were raised through little savings since his election into the House.
According to the House Majority Chief Whip, the project will be carried out in phases beginning from his village Gbeji, Afia, Vaase, Alabaa, Zaki Biam and will be extended to Kyado and other communities.
The legislator maintained that the lights at Afia, Vaase and Alabaa gulped up to 4 million naira while those in Zaki Biam consumed over 6 million thus, amounting to over ten million naira cumulatively.
The former Leader, Ukum Legislative House revealed that plans are in the offing to institute a scholarship scheme for a category of indegent students that are studying in various higher institutions of learning across the country.
On security, the lawmaker said since his election into the House, he has been exploring ways to reduce security challenges in his constituency, a move he said has resulted to the granting of amnesty to one of the political militia while several others have also indicated interest to key into the programme.
He explained that the move to appeal to the conscience of the restive youths was for them to denounce their evil ways and join hands with him and other people of good will with a view to moving Ukum forward.
On the recent upgrading of Zaki baim yam market to international standard by the Federal government, Hon Mlanga told news men that the major economic benefit of the yam market is to create private investor participation with a view to engaging in yam processing which will in turn boost their financial well being.
