Herders’ attack lessens IGR – Benue govt

Benue State Government has said that attacks of communities by herdsmen dwindle revenue generation at the local government level.

Also, the state reportedly spent about N1 billion to procure vehicles for different classes of traditional rulers in the state.

Ken Achabo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs revealed this to newsmen in Makurdi, yesterday.

He said: “We all know what is happening in the state currently. In Ukum local council, some Chinese engineers, who were there to work, were kidnapped, while some were killed. I mean, who would want to go there again?”

“The Fulani occupied 80 per cent of Gwer West. In Makurdi, they came as close as Agan, in Ado Local Council. Ado has a problem of communal clashes. Agatu shares a boundary with Gwer West. Not too long ago, the Fulani killed about 27 people. These greatly hampered our IGR.”

Achabo, however, said the situation was improving, as the bureau had hired a consultant to collect tenement rates for the local councils.

According to Achabo, the state government, through the bureau, procured about 90 vehicles for 46 third-class chiefs and 23 second-class chiefs, among others.

He stated that his administration had installed nine traditional rulers since he came into office nine months ago, adding: “Benue still have many vacant stools in Zones A, B and C. Government has about 2,000 traditional rulers on the its payroll.”

The bureau has also spent N25 million on 50 youths in the 23 local councils of the state for automobile training, he disclosed.

His words: “We paid for two persons per local council and four extra for the training at Innoson Motors in Nnewi, Anambara State. The 50 Benue youths will come back at the end of the training, with government’s assistance, to set up automobile workshops in the state and train others.”