Ortom wades into Owukpa coal controversy, speaks on arrest of Okwori Onaji

Governor Samuel Ortom has set up a committee to look into the controversy surrounding mining activities in Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Terver Akase disclosed this today in an interview with journalists at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

Mr Akase said the Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Benson Abounu, also has the Head of Service, Mrs. Veronica Onyeke, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Michael Gusa, as well as Security Adviser to the Governor, retired Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hembah.

He stated that Abounu-led committee is to meet with stakeholders in Owukpa as well as the affected mining companies and report back to Government.

The Chief Press Secretary also gave clarification on the arrest of an activist, Okwori Onaji, saying that Benue State Government has no hand in his apprehension and detention, contrary to some media reports which earlier blamed the incident on the government.