Benue - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Peter Amine
Dec, Sun, 2024

Security: Alia inaugurates civil guards, donates vehicles

122 total views today

By Emmanuel Antswen

Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue on Saturday launched a 5000-man new security outfit known as the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG).

Alia also unveiled a Joint Security Task Force named “Operation Anyam Nyor” to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the state.

The governor during the ceremony in Makurdi announced the donation of 100 Hilux security vans and 600 special combatant motorcycles for their effective operations.

He assured Benue residents that security remained his top priority, adding that the stability of a community leads to meaningful and sustainable development.

Alia stated that the state made strategic investments aimed at fortifying the capacity of security agencies.

According to him, the goal is to combat criminality and create an environment where people can live and thrive without fear.

He said the BSCPG was established by law to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in the state by way of synergising and comparing notes.

Alia stated that an additional 5000 guards would be recruited in due course to bring the total to 10,000.

“To further strengthen our security framework, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Operation “Anyam Nyor” Joint Security Task Force.

“This operation represents the largest and most comprehensive security collaboration in the history of our dear state.

“The operation has the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps working together.

“They will deploy personnel across all local government areas in the state.

“This joint effort will ensure that security concerns are not only addressed comprehensively but also decisively,” he said.

The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support to his administration, especially his security efforts.

He also commended the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatyse, and the Catholic Bishop of the Katsina-Ala Diocese, Most Rev. Isaac Dugu, for their dedication to peace-building in the state.

Alia further thanked the officers for responding to the call for service and urged them to always operate in accordance with their mandate.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, said the 19 northern governors would support the Benue security project.

Yahaya said the efforts of the Benue governor were in preparation for the coming of the state police, adding that Benue has taken a step ahead of other states.

Also, the Tiv paramount ruler, Prof. James Ayatse, said the Benue traditional institution would support the security initiatives of the governor.

Ayatse said that the recruitment of 5000 BSCPG was not for political reasons and charged the officers to operate within their set mandate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by governors, Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and other party chieftains.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Peter Amine

Ismail Abdulaziz
Dec, Wed, 2024

General News

Dangote Cement, Benue communities seal dev’t Agreement

434 total views today

The Dangote Cement and six host communities in Benue on Wednesday signed a historic Community Development Agreement (CDA)

The landmark accord commits Dangote Cement to multimillion-Naira development initiatives, and was celebrated as a transformative milestone, with the communities pledging to uphold a peaceful coexistence.

A traditional ruler, Ter Gboko Gabriel Shosum, hailed the pact as the dawn of a new era that fulfils the communities’ longstanding aspirations.

He lauded Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, for his commitment to addressing the needs of the host communities, while urging local leaders to sustain peace and harmony to support the company’s operations.

Mrs Bimbo Olawoye, representing the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, called for collective efforts to ensure the full implementation of the CDA.

Hon. Elias Yina, Chairman of Gboko Local Government, described the agreement as unparalleled in the company’s over 40-year history.

He said the programme would benefit not only the local government but also the State.

Plant Director, DCP Gboko, Louis Raj, said the achievement of the CDA is as a result of the support from the Benue State government, as well as from the Gboko Local Government, community leaders and the ministry of Solid Minerals Development, among other stakeholders.

The Plant Director added: “This important occasion marks the beginning of concrete infrastructural development and social support in the areas of Education, improved access to Healthcare, Economic Empowerment programmes targeted at the Youths, the women groups and the farming population.

He said that the company’s social investment would also facilitate improved access to potable water, improve electrification and power supply to the host communities, among other things.

“The Gboko Plant’s CDA also provides for scholarship grants for students in secondary and tertiary institutions to promote excellence in educational pursuits of indigent students from our host communities.”

Head of Social Performance, Mr Wakeel Olayiwola, described the signing of the CDA as historic and key to the implementation of key projects in the host communities.

The CDA, he said, provides for interventions that covers the provision of infrastructural and educational development for a period of five years.

In his remarks, President General of the Jemgbash Development Association, Prince Yandev Amaabai, urged the communities to be peaceful and eschew violence.

“Dangote has provided us jobs, and now is supporting us as a people. We must support him and be peaceful,” he said.

The agreement was signed with six host communities: Tse-kucha(Mbatyula), Quarry, Amua(Mbakper), Mbazembe, Mbatur and Pass Brothers.

PR:

Peter Amine
Nov, Thu, 2024

General News

SEMA, BSUTH sign MoU on IDPs treatment

175 total views today

By Peter Amine
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the treatment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

The MoU was signed by the SEMA Executive Secretary, Sir James Iorpuu, and BSUTH Chief Medical Director, Dr Stephen Hwande, on Thursday in Makurdi.

Speaking at the event, Iorpuu said that the partnership marked a significant milestone in collective efforts to alleviate the sufferings of IDPs in Benue and to ensure their access to essential and quality healthcare services.

The executive secretary stated that the plight of Benue citizens in IDP camps across local governments was one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges.

“These vulnerable populations face numerous difficulties, with access to healthcare being one of the most critical.

“Many IDPs are unable to access the medical attention they urgently need due to financial constraints and logistical barriers.

“It is in recognition of this need that Benue SEMA has sought this collaboration with BSUTH, an institution renowned for its excellence in medical care and service delivery.

“Through this agreement, IDPs in the 10 designated camps will now have the opportunity to receive timely and quality healthcare services at BSUTH, with the assurance that SEMA will settle the bills at a later date.

“This initiative is not just a demonstration of our commitment to the welfare of displaced persons; it is also a testament to the importance of partnerships in addressing the complexities of humanitarian crises,” he added.

He further said that the agency was leveraging the expertise and resources of BSUTH and the coordination capabilities of SEMA to set a precedent on how institutions can work together for the betterment of society.

Iorpuu added that they would ensure that the agreement was implemented effectively and transparently.

He said both SEMA and BSUTH must remain accountable to the people, ensuring that the initiative achieved its intended impact.

Hwande, in his remarks, lauded SEMA for initiating the partnership that would be beneficial to the vulnerable population in the state.

“What SEMA is doing is landmark because such services were left in the hands of the Red Cross and other international organisations.

“For the first time, SEMA is saying that I will take responsibility for treating IDPs.

“It costs a lot of money to treat these IDPs; one lassa fever case sometimes takes close to one million Naira.

“We have resolved that we will give some discounts; if the cases are very expensive, we will give a higher discount. The discount will be based on the case,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Ismail Abdulaziz
Nov, Tue, 2024

General News

Benue workers to get ₦75,000 as minimum wage

437 total views today

By Peter Amine

Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has approved a minimum wage of ₦75,000 for workers in the state.

Alia in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, announced the new wage after he met with the organised labour on Monday in Makurdi.

The governor said that the new minimum wage would take effect from November.

He stated that the remaining three months of the five-month backlog of salary arrears promised workers would be paid as budgeted in the 2024 budget.

He emphasised that the arrears would be paid along with the new minimum wage.

“We decided to set the wage at ₦75,000, fully aware of the other concerns raised by organised labour during the negotiations.

“These concerns included a minimum wage of N30,000, wage awards, transportation allowances, tax relief, and work-off days, among others.

“Recall that the President had approved the sum of N70,000, which we have decided to exceed, considering the concerns raised by organised labour regarding our ability to pay,” he said.

Alia restated his administration’s commitment to serve the common man and stressed that he would ensure that Benue workers were properly taken care of.

The governor added that his motivation to ensure the arrears were paid was to alleviate the effects of hardship on workers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Gabriel Yough

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Thu, 2024

Environment

NIHSA warns of imminent flooding along Rivers Benue, Niger

659 total views today

By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued an urgent flood warning to communities along the River Benue and River Niger, following significant rises in water levels due to continuous rainfall.

In a statement on Thursday, NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, urged residents near the riverbanks to evacuate, as water levels in the River Benue have reached critical points.

He noted that water gauge data from key stations such as Lokoja, Umaisha, Makurdi, and Ibbi show consistently high levels, exceeding 9 meters between October 9 and October 15.

“The map shows critical flood-prone zones across Nigeria, particularly around stations along the River Benue and River Niger.

“Makurdi, in particular, has recorded dangerously high water levels, with Lokoja and other stations also nearing flood thresholds,” Mohammed stated.

The agency also warned that the management of the Kainji and Jebba Dams are closely monitoring and controlling water releases to prevent downstream flooding along the Niger.

Mohammed called for full cooperation with emergency response agencies and advised citizens to move to safer areas to avoid the worsening effects of the floods as rainfall continues.

He emphasised the need for collective efforts to build resilience against flooding, which had become an annual challenge for many communities in Nigeria.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru