July 11, (THEWILL) – The member representing Katsina/ Ala, Ukum and Logo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Dr Richard Gbande, has decried the state of insecurity in the country saying it has greatly undermined the democratic process.
He also advocated the decentralisation of security architecture in the country.
Though he agreed that some level of achievements had been recorded in the areas of communication and few others, Gbande fumed that the recent killings in all parts of the country had grossly made such achievements laughable.
Fielding questions from Journalists, the Lawmaker said the situation demanded that all hands be on deck saying, the blames on the President were not personal but borne out of frustration from Nigerians who are being killed on a daily basis.
“He is the father of the nation which explains why everyone looks up to him and like you know, security is the most fundamental objective of governance”.
As a panacea, Gbande advocated that the three tiers of government be allowed to owned community based security outfits but with a central coordinating unit under the supervision of conventional security agencies.
He lamented the continued attacks on farming communities across the country emphasizing such was not healthy for the economy of the country especially as it regarded food security.
Gbande who also called for the abolition of the joint Account System equally threw his weight behind full autonomy of local governments arguing that such was gonig to return local Council’s back to the era where they were very functional.
“We use to have local government councils who could carry out projects at the local level with the departments very functional.
“My belief is that if the autonomy is fully granted , the system will return to what it use to be but with proper checks”, he said.
Still on security , Gbande said, “ I think we have to decentralise the security architecture of this country down to the local government level with a centralized body that will be coordinating its activities, the killings have become unabated and in the midst of this, you cannot ensure food security even for a state like Benue which is the food basket of the nation.”
The lawmaker said the National Assembly has achieved a lot in the aspect of chunning out qualitative laws for the general interest of Nigerians in many aspects and for continued cooperation and understanding from constituents.
I’ll Revive Moribund Industries in Benue, Says Orya
From Austine Jor, Makurdi
Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Import and Export Bank, Chief Roberts Orya, has promised to revive all moribund industries in Benue State within nine months, if elected governor of the state in 2023.
Speaking during a reception held in honour of Colonel Sebastian Adawa (Retd.) I Makurdi, capital of the state, Orya said Benue had no reason to be poor, given its rich potentials in agriculture and mineral resources, adding that all the state needed to do was to harness its resources to turn things around for the people.
The former bank chief decried the tendency among youths of the state to consume goods and services without making a commensurate level of input in the economy and promised to do something about it, if elected as governor.
He said, “I am running for the governorship position in Benue State because of you, the youths. No father wants to give birth to a child whose future he or she will not be able to guarantee.
“You must also engage yourselves with something more productive for a change. That is the only way you can move from this level of poverty to the next level of prosperity. If elected, I shall provide the enabling environment and the encouragement that will enable you do that.”
Orya, who said he was at peace with other aspirants for the governorship position in Benue, urged his supporters to imbibe the same spirit.
While congratulating members of the Benue State Chapter of the Nigerian Legion over its successful election, he described them as critical stakeholders in the state, having served the country without blemish for 35 years.
He said their experience could be tapped for the benefit of the state, particularly in terms of development.
