Gov. Ortom reassures Agatu on Obagaji-Okoklo-Agagbe road construction, charge them on peace

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has reassured the people of Agatu local government area that the construction of the Obagaji – Okoklo -Agagbe Road, for which contract has already been awarded will receive pole attention if his administration if returned to office in the March 2nd governorship elections.

He spoke yesterday at Abugbe, Agatu local government area while commissioning some of the 37 projects constructed by the Victim Support Fund in collaboration with the state government in three local government areas in Benue State. The local government areas are Agatu, Guma and Logo.

Represented by his deputy, Engr Benson Abounu, Governor Samuel Ortom also charged the people to ensure that peace reigns among them and between them and their neighbours.

He specifically tasked the Oche’ Agatu, Chief Godwin Onah and the two 3rd class chiefs in the area to ensure that the lingering crisis between the people of Abubge and Aila is resolved to the benefit of the entire Agatu people.

Governor Ortom said it is unacceptable for two brothers to be fighting over less important things when they have a great challenge that could consume them both at the door.

He thanked the Victim Support Fund, and its chairman, Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd) for its intervention in Benue State, and promised to give the organization all the support it needs to execute its projects in the state.

He said the state is grateful to Gen. T.Y Danjuma, for his generosity to the state, and his love for the country, seen in his bold and frank comments on the herdsmen/farmers crisis.

Earlier, Executive Director of the VSF, Prof. Sunday Ochoche said the construction of the 37 projects in the state was executed with funds donated by private individuals, among which its chairman, Gen. Danjuma, alone donated $10m.

He commended the Agatu people for the support given to the VSF, which he said has resulted in the early completion of the projects earmarked for them, and called on them to continue to maintain peaceful coexistence.

Prof Ochoche disclosed that the VSF intends to provide water for all the schools and clinics in the communities where they are working in the state, adding that already, a company has been commissioned to carry out the hydrogeological survey of the areas.
The focal person and Special Adviser to Governor Ortom on Development Cooperation, SDG and NEPAD, Dr. Magdalene Dura, who was represented by Mr Tersoo Mhar, Senior Special Assistant on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, expressed joy at the commissioning of the projects, 15 of which are in Agatu local government area.

She thanked VSF for the projects, and called on the people to own the projects and protect them for the use of the community.
Chief Godwin Onah, who thanked Governor Samuel Ortom, his deputy, Engr. Abounu and the VSF, promised to ensure the protection of the projects as well as the maintenance of peace in the local government.

Also speaking, the host, and acting chairman of the Council, Hon. Alhaji Oyigocho commended the Benue State government and the Victim Support Fund for coming to their aid and promised to support the government realize its development objectives in Agatu.