President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the construction of a multi-billion bridge at River Buruku, Benue State to link the neighbouring Taraba State.

The Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Terlumun Utsev disclosed this at a grand reception in honour of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume in Makurdi, the state capital.

Prof. Utsev who said the project would cut across Ugba-Ukum communities of the state also announced the award of a contract for the Makurdi-Katsina-Ala and the Makurdi-Otukpo-nineth Mile in Enugu state, stressing that already the contractors handling the various projects have been adequately mobilized and are already on site.

“Also he (Tinubu) has approved a contract for the construction of houses worth N2trn in states of the federation (Benue inclusive) at subsidized rates for low-income earners,” he said.

According to the Minister, the gesture is a result of the existing cordial and robust working relationship between the SGF and the President in the country.

Prof. Utsev commended Senator Akume for facilitating the appointments of noble indigenes of the state to the federal level and reiterated their unflinching support to both the SGF and President Tinubu to succeed in office.

“We won’t be happy with anybody in Benue State that attacks Senator Akume henceforth especially thanksgivings organized in his honour as has been the case in the past. Enough is enough.

“Those of us working with Senator Akume will not watch anybody point his or her finger at Senator Akume, we will resist that.

“This will be done as a demonstration of the need to show respect for the elders in the state for enduring peace to reign to serve as an example for other people to emulate,” he said.

Prof. Utsev said the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is poised to provide potable water to the 23 local government areas of the state to alleviate the water problems confronting the rural dwellers.

He added that, “we have also earmarked dams to be constructed in the three senatorial districts of the state,” stressing that the dams have the capacity to supply electricity, and irrigation for dry Sean farming adding that they have been captured in the federal budget to ensure that the projects go on uninterrupted.

He assured the farmers that trucks of fertilizers and herbicides would soon arrive in the state for onward distribution to farmers to boost agriculture and put the state on the fast lane of development.

Chief launcher and Executive Director, Housing, Finance and Accounts, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Dr Mathias Byuan expressed gratitude to ‘the leader of the APC in the state, Senator George Akume for providing leadership to the state.

He said that the situation where those who have benefited from the magnanimity of the SGF turn around to insult him will no longer be tolerated.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerians Shippers Council (NSC), Barrister Pius Akutah, represented by his Principal Private Adviser on Politics, Comrade Faeren Solomon Atir, called for prayers and support for the SGF and advised those causing division in the party to desist henceforth to avoid chaos.

In their separate remarks, the Senator representing Benue North-East senatorial district, Senator Emmanuel Udende, his Benue North-West Senatorial District, Sen. Titus Tartenger Zam, respectively, thanked God for the life and elevation of Akume to the SGF and admonished people of the state to sustain their support and prayers for Sen. Akume whom they extolled his leadership qualities which they said has made many leaders in the state. (New Telegraph)

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