By EMMANUEL ANTSWEN

Mr Justine Shaku, the Chairman, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue, says the continuous activities of criminal elements within the council left many schools, markets and primary health clinics closed for more than one year.

Shaku told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday on telephone that all social infrastructure within the council were also damaged.

He explained that ?over 20 schools, 23 markets and 13 primary health clinics remain shut, following the continuous activities of criminal elements in the local government.

?A total of eight council wards are badly affected too.

?Insecurity in the area has been challenging. Agriculture, which is the major source of our livelihood, is greatly affected because of so many challenges at the moment.?

He, however, said that his administration would focus on rebuilding, rehabilitating and resuscitating all the broken economic sectors within the council.

He said he would focus on health, education, roads, agriculture and security, to boost the council?s economy, ?and to ensure that the schools are back to life.?

Shaku, who said that the council secretariat is an eyesore, added that ?it requires total rebuilding.?

He explained that with the Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to local governments, he is set to rebuild the decayed infrastructure within the council and strive to deliver on his campaign promises. (NAN)