Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and securing farmlands across the state, declaring that his government will not relent until terrorists are driven out of Benue.
The governor stated this during an unscheduled inspection
visit to the Taraku Mills in Gwer East Local Government Area, where he assessed
ongoing rehabilitation work at the state-owned agro-processing company.
Alia said restoring security remains central to his
administration’s economic agenda, stressing that farmers must be able to
cultivate their lands without fear if the state is to realise its agricultural
potential.
“My priority is to protect my people and safeguard our lands
so that our farmers can continue feeding the nation while boosting the economy
of Benue and Nigeria,” the governor said.
He vowed to sustain the enforcement of relevant laws and
intensify operations against criminal elements, insisting that armed groups
responsible for attacks on communities would be rooted out.
“Terrorists must leave the state. We shall continue to fight
them until they leave our land. Nobody will take Benue land,” he declared.
Governor Alia noted that although Benue farmers have the
capacity to supply Taraku Mills with the raw materials needed for production,
persistent insecurity in Benue and neighbouring states, including Nasarawa,
Cross River, Kogi and Taraba, poses a major threat to agricultural
productivity.
He warned that reviving the multi-billion naira company
would amount to an exercise in futility if farmers were prevented from
accessing their farms.
During the inspection, engineers working on the
rehabilitation project powered several refurbished machines to demonstrate the
progress made so far.
Expressing satisfaction with the pace of work, the governor
said the project remained on course for production to commence within a short
period.
He urged farmers across the state, particularly those
cultivating soybeans, maize and groundnuts, to increase production in
preparation for the commencement of operations at the mill.
According to him, the resuscitation of Taraku Mills will
strengthen the agricultural value chain, create jobs, stimulate economic
activities and improve the state’s internally generated revenue.
Alia also said Benue’s economy had begun recording positive
growth through reforms introduced by both the Federal Government and his
administration over the past three years.
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