<<< By Tahav Agerzua >>>
Assistant Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in charge of Zone H, Mr. Joseph Oragande Chiahemba, has pledged to sustain collaboration with the Benue State government in providing security for lives and property in the state.
He made the pledge when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Samuel Ortom at the Peoples House in Makurdi, today.
This came on the heels of the Governor’s pledge to provide start-up packs for 500 Industrial Training Fund trainees.
Mr. Oraganda expressed appreciation for the state government’s involvement of the corps in its security apparatus and for the accommodation provided for staff at the state level saying it was the best within the zone.
Governor Ortom reiterated the importance of security to his administration pointing out that it was a prerequisite for the attraction of the needed investment into the state.
He said the carrot approach of his amnesty program had expired and given way to the stick aspect which was being applied to curb crime across the state.
The Governor promised to continue to support the corps and other security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities within available resources even as he commended its officers and men for helping to secure lives and property in the state.
The Area Manager of the Industrial Training Fund, Mrs Mercy Oguntimehim, also led a delegation to visit the Governor.
She requested the state government to provide startup packs for 500 trainees after the conclusion of their three-month skills acquisition training in five towns in the state.
Governor Ortom accepted the request saying it would empower the youths to generate wealth and opportunities and directed that the beneficiaries be spread across the senatorial districts in the state.
He also received a delegation from the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, led by the state coordinator, Mr Lanre Jimoh.
The Governor pledged to look into his request for office accommodation and vehicle adding that that the state government would continue to provide a conducive environment for federal agencies to operate in the state.
Mr Jimoh lauded Governor Ortom’s efforts in the security, infrastructure and health sectors and solicited assistance to tackle office accommodation and transportation challenges.
Officials of the Citizens for Peace and First Aid Mission of Nigeria, as well as Initiative for Revival of African Forgotten Heritage also visited the Governor.