Benue: Alia’s interventions restoring peace, accelerating development in Agatu – Council chairman, Melvin Ejeh 

The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, James Melvin Ejeh, has said interventions by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration are yielding results in security, infrastructure and the restoration of displaced communities across the council area.

Ejeh stated this on Saturday during a visit to the Makurdi branch of the Agatu Development Association, ADA, where he briefed stakeholders on the security situation and ongoing development projects in the local government.

The council chairman, who is also Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in Benue State, said improved security had enabled displaced residents, particularly those from the Zone C axis of Agatu, to return to their ancestral communities.

He specifically commended Alia for what he described as significant interventions in Agatu, including the ongoing construction of the Obagaji–Okokolo–Agagbe Road, renovation of schools and primary healthcare centres, as well as measures aimed at strengthening security and restoring lasting peace.

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According to him, the interventions have complemented projects being executed by the local government administration, including work on schools, health facilities, an ICT centre and the renovation of the council secretariat.

Ejeh also disclosed that the protracted Egba/Ologba crisis had been brought under control, expressing optimism that the construction of an Army battalion along the Ekaida, Ologba and Egba axis would further consolidate peace in the area.

He added that mobile police personnel had been deployed to affected communities as part of efforts to protect lives and property.

“As we speak, we have deployed mobile police to the affected areas in Agatu. Our people whose houses are still standing have returned home. Those who are yet to return are those whose houses were badly damaged and are working on rebuilding their houses before their return.

“From next week, massive projects will take place and some completed projects will be commissioned soon. You can call home and ask your people. I am not talking for talking’s sake; I am talking based on facts. The Agatu of yesterday is not the same as the Agatu of today,” Ejeh said.

The chairman further disclosed that additional measures had been put in place to prevent attacks by suspected herdsmen, but declined to reveal details of the security arrangements.

Ejeh maintained that the improved security situation and renewed development activities represented a new phase for Agatu after years of insecurity and displacement.

During the visit, the council chairman donated N3.7 million towards the completion of the ADA Hall, while his wife, Ada Blessing Ejeh, contributed N500,000, bringing their total donation to N4.2 million.

Responding, Chairman of the ADA Makurdi Branch, Matthew Efoga, thanked Ejeh for the donation and urged him to remain focused on his administration’s development agenda.

Other stakeholders, including the association’s secretary, John Anthony Ikwulono; Abdullahi Ibrahim Ehoda; Yusuf Omojo; former Permanent Secretary Ali Efu; Peter Enadikwu; Haruna Onehi; former Agatu council chairman Alhaji Oyigocho; and former ADA chairman Adanu Adanu, also commended efforts towards restoring peace and accelerating development in the area.

They particularly praised the handling of the Egba/Ologba crisis and pledged their support for efforts aimed at sustaining peace and development in Agatu.