Benue: Landmark achievements of James Oche in Ado

From security challenges bedevilling Nigerians to the economic meltdown and excessive tension across Nigeria, Hon James Oche administration in Ado Local Government has done very well in tackling most of these grassroots challenges.

Let’s x-ray his modest achievements and why we need him to come back to stabilize the security, economy, total peace and unity across the local government.
Hon Oche first and foremost wish to thank Almighty God and the good people of Ado Local Government for the opportunity to serve as Council Chairman.
It has been two years since him and his other colleagues, secured PDP nomination and were duly voted and honourably inaugurated into the Local Government administration of Benue State.

Having served as Caretaker Chairman in the land of the sage for months preceding his election, he understood the challenges that lay ahead and not waste time in giving action to words after inauguration.
From policy, administration to physical projects and staff welfare, he has made a mark that may not be easily erased.

His job has tested his strength of character and subjected him to some emotional moments. The deteriorating security situation in and around the country, Benue State in general and Ado in particular has remained his greatest confrontation and achievement. Within the last few months, we have lost over 200 persons to herdsmen attacks and over 150 persons are in hospitals with varying degrees of injury. Having a staggering figure of nearly 3000 internally displaced persons in various camps. The condition is grossly precarious and the people live in fear.

Despite those challenges, as Council Chairman, he made some modest efforts. He took some steps to consciously re-engineer in the way he could afford, the integration of breaking Ado communities that were hitherto severed. He made efforts in different regards and which will be summarize below.

PHYSICAL PROJECTS
1. Rehabilitation of some Igumale township roads, making them motorable and ensuring easy access to other parts of Ado Local Government Area.
2. Renovation and re electrification of the the Local Government Secretariat as well as resuscitation and maintenance of a functional power generating plant.
3. Refurbishing and resuscitation of Local Government official Vehicles and 2 ambulances to enhance mobility and health care delivery.
4. Renovation of selected health care centres especially in Igumale and Apa-Agila.
SECURITY
Despite the many challenges we have suffered as regards security, we did not remain helpless or arms folded.
1. We undertook the Strict enforcement of the Anti open grazing and ranches establishment law of Benue State to check the excesses of herders.
2. We Championed the “red card to crime” policy which saw hundreds of youth denounce cultism, armed robbery, robbery and other social vices.
3. Proper empowerment and the procurement of security equipment for the Homeland Defence Volunteers Front and the Vigilante.
4. Engagement and support for the Operation Whirlstroke in Ado LGA to check insecurity.
5. The introduction of the “Ado Whistle Blower Policy” which saw youths volunteer information that led to the trailing and arrest of many suspects who are being prosecuted in various courts of law within the State, while some are in police custody undergoing investigation.
6. The effective constitution of the Ado Local Government Community Volunteer Guards to advance the self defense of our people and the positive results of their decimation of crime and criminality.
AGRICULTURE
1. Procurement and equitable distribution of farm inputs.
2. Expansion and commercialization of local government farms with mechanized farming by effectively putting into use, the local government tractor that was received from the State Government.
3. Engagement of youths in farming and empowerment schemes.
SOCIAL INTEGRATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1. Several and sustained attempts to actualize the peaceful resolution of herders/farmers crisis.
3. Sustained efforts to reintegrate Ezza and Izzi communities.
4. The recognition and fair treatment of disadvantaged communities.
POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
1. Political appointments across board devoid of political, ethnic and clannish considerations.
2. Orientation and reorientation of Ado Legislative Assembly for optimal performance leading to the passage of over 10 by laws bothering on cultism, tree felling, livestock purchase and animal husbandry, sanitation and tax administration.
3. Prompt payment of impress to appointees and Local Government staff.
HEALTH
1. Procurement of PPEs and other covid 19 safety equipment.
2. Various sponsored and or supported medical outreach programmes.
3. Regular support for immunization and sensitization programmes against health related issues.
HUMANITARIAN GESTURES AND EMPOWERMENT
1. Multi incentives for persons in business and startup capital for agricultural and small scale processing.
2. Payment of medical bills of over 70 persons.
3. Donations to church projects and grassroot associations.
4. Enrolment of over 150 Ado youths as beneficiaries for government loans, grants and support.
5. The Financial inclusion policy has supported over 500 Adolites to own bank accounts.
6. Sustained support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) of Fulani herdsmen attack and communal crisis.
As emphasized earlier, security challenges have dealt us a heavy blow in our time but we have been withering the storm and with the support of the state government and other critical stakeholders, he has continued to improve and strive towards remarkable progress.
With all these triumphs, we want him to come back to continue strengthening the security, health, economy and complete social engineering.