
<<< By Terver Akase >>>
Before he proceeded on his deserved vacation on the 23rd of last month, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom approved numerous projects cutting across education, health and general infrastructure. These included the approval for the construction of 10 abandoned roads and 2 new ones, construction and rehabilitation of classroom blocks in 700 schools, rehabilitation of 64 post-primary schools, establishment of primary health centres in 33 communities and 116 water projects in different local government areas of the state.
While in China, Governor Ortom continued with his untiring spirit as he visited a number of companies and interacted with investors who are expected in Benue in the days to come. One of the highpoints of the Governor’s trip to China was his signing of an agreement with a major Chinese investor for the establishment of a tractor assembly plant in Makurdi.
He said on that occasion,
“Apart from the benefits of having these equipments close to farmers in the Food Basket of the nation, the assembly plant will generate jobs, create opportunities and create wealth because it will be a center to service neighboring states especially those in the North Central part of the country.”
Governor Ortom is one of those rare leaders who work 6 days a week. He is a man who likes to be engaged in one activity or the other. If you do not find him in the office, then be sure that he is either somewhere inspecting a project or holding a development strategy meeting.
Sometime in February when members of the State Executive Council asked Governor Ortom to take his annual leave, he smiled and said ” Ok, I will go on leave next month when the projects we are approving have all commenced”.
Now that the Workman has taken a rest and is returning to the state, the words of one of the Governor’s aides during a conversation a few days ago can best summarize what should be expected: “Even when oga was yet to go on leave, he was working like tomorrow no dey. I know that time will double now”.
The biggest beneficiary of the vitality with which Governor Ortom is returning to the state is Benue State. I see more projects executed and more programmes of Government implemented. I see more contracts awarded and adequately supervised. I see solutions found for the current economic challenges. I see more salaries paid. I see this administration bringing brighter smiles to the faces of the people of Benue. I see transparency in action. I see the fear of God in affairs of the state.
Welcome back home the People’s Governor.
In God we trust.