APC, Obande commend chairman’s development initiatives
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Chairman of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Engr. Sunday Oche, has distributed seven vehicles and 48 motorcycles to local government staff and All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders as part of efforts to improve service delivery and strengthen grassroots administration.
The distribution, according to the chairman, is aimed at enhancing mobility, boosting efficiency and empowering beneficiaries to discharge their responsibilities more effectively.
The gesture comes after the chairman had earlier distributed motorcycles to councillors, supervisory councillors and other critical stakeholders in the local government, in what he described as part of his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and grassroots development.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony at the Ado Local Government Secretariat, Oche expressed appreciation to Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for providing an enabling environment for local government chairmen to deliver democratic dividends to their respective communities.
He said the initiative was designed to strengthen the operational capacity of council workers and party stakeholders while improving their contributions to governance and community development.
Oche noted that financial autonomy had provided the local government with greater capacity to undertake development projects, adding that his administration was currently renovating the council secretariat and implementing other interventions across the area.
He pledged to sustain projects and programmes that would complement the efforts of the state government in improving the living conditions of residents.
The chairman also disclosed that rehabilitation work had commenced on failed sections of the Otukpo–Igumale Road, particularly the Utonkon section in Ojije, Ukwonyo Ward.
According to him, the intervention is intended to ease transportation difficulties and improve economic and commercial activities within and beyond the local government area.
He explained that the deteriorating condition of the road had posed challenges to residents, commuters, traders and other road users, stressing that its rehabilitation would address some of the immediate transportation concerns in the area.
The road project is among several infrastructure interventions being undertaken by the administration.
Oche had also facilitated the installation of solar-powered streetlights across communities in the local government area, an initiative aimed at improving security, supporting nighttime commercial activities and enhancing public safety.
Meanwhile, the Benue State chapter of the APC has commended the council chairman for his interventions in grassroots development.
The state chairman of the party, Chief Benjamin Omale, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Alphonsus Indyur, gave the commendation at the presentation ceremony.
Indyur applauded Oche for the distribution of vehicles and motorcycles, as well as ongoing projects, including the renovation of the local government secretariat, construction of a five-kilometre road and other infrastructure initiatives.
He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the vehicles and motorcycles, noting that the gesture was intended to improve their productivity and enable them to contribute more effectively to community development.
The APC deputy chairman also appealed to those who were not included in the distribution to remain patient, assuring them that more opportunities would arise.
He further encouraged eligible residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the forthcoming general elections.
Similarly, the Jarman Matasan Arewa, Prince Omoi Obande, commended Oche for what he described as his commitment, consistency and dedication to grassroots development.
Obande said the chairman’s administration had undertaken several projects and empowerment programmes which, according to him, complemented Governor Alia’s efforts to improve governance and development across Benue State.
He described Oche’s administration as people-oriented, pointing to its engagement with stakeholders, infrastructure projects and interventions across the wards as evidence of its development agenda.
On security, Obande highlighted the administration’s peacebuilding initiatives, including dialogues aimed at resolving communal conflicts.
He cited a peace meeting involving Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi of Ebonyi State, which he said contributed to the restoration of peace between the Ezza and Effium communities.
He also referenced interventions in Ezza-Idelle and Ndeobashi in Ekile District, which he said helped to end longstanding hostilities.
Obande further noted that Governor Alia had designated Ado Local Government as the operational base of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard in Zone C, codenamed Anyamnyor, comprising nine local government areas.
According to him, the designation underscores the strategic importance of Ado in the state’s security architecture.
On healthcare, Obande disclosed that the council chairman had provided solar-powered refrigerators for the storage of drugs and vaccines in primary healthcare centres across the local government area.
He also mentioned the installation of a solar power system at Utonkon Primary Healthcare Centre and financial support for the electrification of neighbouring communities.
Obande said the interventions reflected the administration’s stated commitment to improving healthcare delivery, security, infrastructure and the general welfare of residents.
He expressed optimism that the local government would record further development under Oche’s leadership.
“His administration remains focused, people-oriented and committed to the welfare, unity and progress of Ado Local Government. Better days await the good people of Ado Local Government. With Sunny Oche, it is just the beginning of a new dawn in Ado Local Government,” Obande said.
