“I Will Develop, Implement Benue State Infrastructure Development Plan If Elected” – PDP Governorship Aspirant

By: Nathaniel Nongu

Benue State guber hopeful in next year’s general election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Terver Akase has promised to develop and implement Benue State Infrastructure Development Plan (BESID-P) if elected.

Mr. Akase made the promise in Makurdi when he featured on Brothers 90.5 FM live audience participatory programme, THE POLITICAL CONVERSATION.

He said with his experience and exposure in governance, he is abreast of the challenges confronting the State and how they could be resolved, while offering himself to serve the people.

Mr. Terver Akase noted that Benue Road Maintenance Agency (BERMA) would be established under the plan for rehabilitation and construction of feeder roads, particularly in rural communities to link the markets.

The PDP Governorship aspirant stated his readiness to meet the yearnings of Benue people by implementing policies and programmes that would impact positively on various sectors of the State’s economy, driven by his manifesto which is christened ‘BENUE’ S-WEALTH Template’.

He highlighted security, wealth and job creation, education, agriculture among others as some of the core pillars in his vision to contribute to the development of the State.

Speaking on security, the PDP guber hopeful said he would initiate a border watch network to beef up security and surveillance at the State’s borders in collaboration with neighbouring States, explaining that the initiative would be extended to also secure the waterways that are entry points into the State.

While emphasizing his commitment to sustaining the enforcement of relevant laws which guarantee the security of the State, he pledged to also constitute a special taskforce to curb human trafficking and as well ensure perpetrators are prosecuted.

Mr. Akase stressed that youth empowerment is central to his vision, saying he would empower at least 10,000 youths yearly in entrepreneurship through opportunities in agriculture, Information and Communication Technology, ICT.

“I will set up a Benue Information Technology Development Agency and ICT institutes to train young people in content development and other aspects of a digital economy

“I will encourage agricultural productivity through setting up of agro industrial parks and integrated model farms across the three Senatorial districts to train farmers in modern agriculture and I will ensure the provision of agriculture machinery in collaboration with the private sector

“I will also upgrade the Benue State Library to a digital status, introduce student loans as well as ensure the provision of more infrastructure in public primary and post primary schools” he promised.

While explaining that the federal allocations were no longer enough to sustain the State’s economy, the guber hopeful expressed his readiness to partner with the private sector in setting up industries that would attract capital inflow to the State, stressing that illegal taxation will be discouraged to boost internally generated revenue.

He solicited Benue people’s support to actualize his ambition, stating that he would offer selfless leadership for the good of all.