By Charity Roberts in Makurdi.
The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has called the committees on illegal mining, Illegal logings and illegal road blocks to ensure that the natural resources of the state are no longer taken away illegally.
Alia,who made the call while inaugurating the three committees at the Old Banquet Hall in Government House, Makurdi, regretted that Benue state which should be at par with other states of the federation, economic wise, has been held back due to illegal minings, illegal loggings and illegal road blocks.
He tasked the committees to ensure such does not derail his administration’s new dawn of growth and development, adding that Benue state can only prosper if such acts of criminality are controlled.
The governor, while thanking the members of the committees for accepting to carryout the responsibility, urged them to work hard to bring out lasting solutions that will be for the overall good of the state.
Responding, the Coordinator of the three committees, Col. Fidelis Chilleh, said the members of the committees were not unmindful of the governor’s determination to salvage the state, and as such, they will carry out out their responsibilities diligently, transparently and in the most accountable way possible.
The committee on Mining is headed by Engr. Comfort Adadu, with Comrade Godwin Malu, Comrade Okpasu, Comrade Innocent Nomsha, serving as members, while Barrister Denen Kwen is the secretary.
Also, the Committee to checkmate illegal road blocks in the state is chaired by Lt. Col. Geoffrey Iorbee (Rtd.), while Comrade Benjamin Akpur, Comrade Abah Michael Audu, Comrade Christopher Anyebe, Hon. Jato Ihua, Barrister Ephraim Haanongon, Dr. Mrs. Rose Saka, serves as members, with Mr. Desmond Atov, as the committee secretary.
In the same vein, the committee on illegal loggings, it is headed Lt. Col. Ikwue Okpachu (Rtd.) as the chairman, Comrade Moses Mhon, Dr. Emmanuel Ikyaagba, Barrister Wandoo Akosu, Dr. Mrs. Chiko Odeh, Tyowase Tor, serving as members, while Maj. Donatus Lyamson serves as the Secretary.
The three committees have been given two months to submit their reports to the governor.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
