Benue Assembly summons works commissioner over huge contract sum for road dualisation

The Benue State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Urban development, Hon. Isaac Imojime and others over contract for the dualisation of Wurukum – Air force Base Road.

They were summoned by the Assembly to appear before them to give concrete justification why the project will cost N68.329 Billion.

The Assembly also directed the Commissioner for Finance not to release funds to the contractor pending conclusion of the Investigation.

This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Anthony Agom representing Okpokwu State Constituency, informing the house that the dualilzation of the road has attracted public criticisms due to the amount of money involved.

He said the huge amount of money approved for the road needs to be investigated and urged the house to summon the Commissioner and those involved in the road project to appear unfailingly.

Seconding the motion, member representing Makurdi North State Constituency, Alfred Emberga, said the amount approved for the road is much and appealed to the house to allow those involved in the projects to appear before it and throw more light why a small portion of such road will cost state government such huge amount.

The House also summoned the Special adviser to the Governor on Bureau for Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs, Director General, Homeland Security and the Chairmen of Otukpo, Ado, Agatu, Apa, Kwande, Ukum Logo, Ohimini, Gwer West and Katsina- Ala to appear before it on Friday, 4th April, 2025 to explain the actions they have taken to stop the incessant killings and kidnapping in Otukpo and other local governments.

Mover of the motion, Micheal Audu informed the house that there have been reported cases of killings and kidnapping by Fulani herdsmen in Opa- Adoka and Asa, Otukpo towns all over in Otukpo Local Government on daily basis leading to the killing of many people while some have been kidnapped.

He said the Local Government Chairmen in the State and the security agencies might have been overwhelmed or are not living up to their responsibility and urged the house to summon the Director General of Homeland Security, and other parties involved to appear and give concrete explanations.