<<< By Tahav Agerzua >>>
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, today at the Benue Peoples House in Makurdi donated a Toyota Hilux to the State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mrs Florence Ezeonye.
The Governor said the donation was part of the state’s contribution to the fight against illicit drugs in the state.
“The biggest root of criminality is drug abuse, so this is something we must fight to a stand still”, he stressed.
The Governor expressed concern over the interception of cocain in the state by the agency noting that the feat indicated that it was living up to its responsibilities.
“The entrance of cocain in any community is a serious cause of concern and all must rise up to fight the menace”, he stated, while commending the police, the state security service and the Civil Defense Corps for arresting criminals in the state on a daily basis.
Mrs. Ezeonye had informed the Governor that the use of illicit drugs was on the rise in the state noting that the most alarming aspect was the involvement of women.
She stated that from 2010 to date, the agency had obtained over 400 convictions but that its activities were inhibited by several challenges including lack of vehicles and a rehabilitation centre.
Mrs Ezeonye announced that the agency apprehended suspects with cocain in the state on 12th October, 2015 noting that the development was very worrisome.
Governor Ortom also received the management of Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Makurdi Zonal Network Centre, led by the Zonal Director, Mr. Ishaya Adamu.
The delegation solicited assistance to enable it give a facelift to the centre in Makurdi and payment of N22 million owed by the previous administration.
The Governor also addressed pensioners who had marched to Peoples House to demand the payment of their pensions and gratuity.
He informed them that the current bailout did not include the pensioners but that he had been paying them since assumption of office assuring that he would raise their matter with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Delegations from Sterling Bank Plc and the Business Innovation Facility, partners of the Department for International Development, DFID also visited him.
Their discussion centred on enhancing agricultural value chain and exploiting areas in which the state has competitive and comparative advantages.