January 07, (THEWILL) – The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Benue State, Hon. Maurice Orwough, has credited the Hyacinth Alia-led administration with significantly reducing security breaches in the state.
Speaking to journalists at his residence in Makurdi on Monday, Hon. Orwough, who also serves as the Chairman of Guma Local Government Council, noted that only isolated cases of violence are now being recorded, primarily in remote areas.
“Unlike during the previous administration when herdsmen attacks plagued areas like Makurdi, Guma, and other locations, the current administration has adopted a new approach to handling security matters, which has brought remarkable improvements,” Orwough said.
He stated that farmers in Guma and Makurdi have returned to their farms without fear of herders’ attacks, with many displaced persons also engaging in farming despite still residing in Internally Displaced Persons camps.
“Some of those in IDP camps are able to farm and return to the camps because their homes were destroyed during past invasions. These homes need to be rebuilt to facilitate their final return to ancestral lands,” he explained.
Highlighting ALGON’s partnership with the state government, Orwough disclosed that efforts are underway to improve rural roads, promote agriculture, and provide other essential services tailored to the needs of each council.
“In Guma, Governor Hyacinth Alia has directed the reconstruction of seven collapsed bridges that were poorly executed during the Samuel Ortom administration. This will ease the movement of residents and enhance connectivity,” he added.
When asked to compare the current administration with its predecessor, Orwough scored the Alia government highly, describing its achievements in less than a year as surpassing what was accomplished during the previous eight-year tenure.
Orwough praised the people of Guma for their support of the Alia administration, adding that his emergence as ALGON Chairman from Guma reflects the governor’s impartiality.
“Governor Alia, as a clergyman, has followed biblical principles rather than political trends, unlike past governors who concentrated ALGON leadership in their areas,” he said.
He urged the people of Benue State to continue supporting the administration, emphasizing its commitment to paying salaries and pensions, constructing roads, and providing electricity and other essential services.
