Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has barred chairmen of local government areas, LGAs, in the state from leaving their council headquarters without his approval.
According to him, the approval should be sought through the special adviser, bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs, BLGCA.
The governor, who handed down the directive to the 23 chairmen at a meeting he held with them in Makurdi on Thursday, said the action became necessary to enable them take full charge of their respective councils.
Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting and sundry issues, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, said the directive followed recent security breaches in some of the LGAs of the state.
He, however, noted that some of the councils lacked proper accommodation for their chairmen but advised them to “make alternative accomodation arrangements, pending when the state government fix their lodges.“
“The chairmen should stay in their councils and synergies with the locals and the chiefs as well as security agencies to ensure security in the councils.
Kula also disclosed that approval was given at the end of the weekly State Executive Council meeting for the establishment of Benue Public Service Institute, BPSI, where all categories of civil servants could be trained.
According to him, the establishment of the institute became imperative, given the absence of such an institution in the state and the fact that “many civil servants in the state are yet to undergo any form of training since they were employed into the civil service.”
He also informed of the resolution of the government to commence the construction of rural roads in the state, as well as two bridges at Wurukum and High Level roundabouts in Makurdi town.
He said the executive council equally appreciated President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, over their visit to the state, and the plan of the federal government to establish a fashion hub in the state.
