The Benue State Executive Council on Thursday approved that Friday every week would be declared a work-free day to enable workers in the state to work on their farms.
Governor Samuel Ortom, who chaired the 16th session of the meeting at which the decision was taken, explained that the objective was to enable as many workers as possible to produce food to feed their families in the current economic downturn which has made the regular payment of salaries a major challenge.
He announced that the work-free day would commence from Friday, June 10 and would last till the end of July 2016.
Briefing journalists at the end of the Executive Council meeting, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Ode Ageh, said the governor would take a two-week vacation which would be part of his annual leave, from Monday, June 13, to work on his farm while the Deputy Governor, Benson Abouru would act on his behalf during the period.
According to him, the council also approved the interdiction of the Special Adviser on Special Duties, Joseph Kyaagba, who is being investigated in connection with the murder of the former Senior Special Assistant on Special Security, the late Denen Igbana. Ageh directed the Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr. Bem Mellabu, to oversee the office of the Special Duties, in addition to his portfolio.
The meeting also approved the appointment of the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Martha Hembadoon Igbana, as a Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Relations.
The Council directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to submit reports on their achievements and challenges in the last one year to the council’s secretariat. It also approved that the purchase of vehicles be moved from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Works, Transport and Energy.
It similarly approved that the committee charged with the planned movement of the Wurukum Market to new Markudi International Market should continue with its work and fashion a roadmap for implementation.
The Council mandated the Commissioners for Education, Science and Technology and that of Women Affairs to carry out a detailed survey of all the schools for the physically challenged in the state and present a comprehensive report on same to the council.
Ageh also told journalists that the Council has approved the construction of an International Cargo Airport in Makurdi by Aerotropolis Development International Company Limited and directed that the company should mobilise to site within 90 days. Meanwhile, the construction of the airport is to be done on Public-Private-Partnership basis.
The meeting also approved the award of contract for the electrification of Ushongo – Manor-Hiitom-Sati-Tse-Ikyange at the cost of N205.8m. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Good development,but the gov. can do better by granting those civil servants with proven records of farms with agric loans that could be deducted from their salaries.
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