Benue stakeholders back Ortom on security measures, endorse privatisation of enterprises

Stakeholders from Benue State rose from a marathon meeting with the state government and threw their weight behind Governor Samuel Ortom on the security measures he has taken to protect lives and property in the state.

The stakeholders, who cut across political, religious and traditional rulers, urged the Federal Government to support the Benue state Governor in tackling the deplorable security issues bedeviling the state.

They spoke at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House Makurdi during a stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Samuel Ortom.

The stakeholders who called on the FG to support the implementation of the ranching law of the state as global method of animals husbandry, also endorsed the privatisation of moribund government enterprises as proposed by government.

They however advised that the privatisation takes into cognisance the interest of Benue people by ensuring that the enterprises remain domiciled in the state to provide employment and other benefits to the people.

Wantaregh Paul Unongo expressed dismay over the misrepresentation of facts concerning the cries of the Governor arising from incessant killings in the state by armed herdsmen, saying Governor Ortom is not against the Federal Government but is only performing his duties as Chief Security Officer of the State.

Governor Samuel Ortom in his opening address at the meeting expressed happiness with the position of the stakeholders, stressing that he would continue to do the bidding of those who elected him.

He admonished his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to complete work on the composition of Community Volunteer Guards within the week or be sanctioned.

Senator Emmanuel Orker Jev and Rep Samson Okwu who spoke on behalf of their colleagues from the National Assembly, pledged their commitment to step up their parliamentary relationship with their colleagues for the benefit of the state.

Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Titus Uba on behalf of the Assembly said the legislature would take a definite position on planned recovery of grazing routes and grazing reserves by the federal government when it resumes plenary tomorrow.