The failure of the Benue State government to provide newly-elected local government chairmen across the 23 council areas with official vehicles has continued to raise concerns about the officials’ security and safety, as many of them have resorted to the use of motorbikes to office and their assessment tours of communities.
Informed sources, who spoke with this platform in confidence, said no fewer than three of the chairmen (names withheld) have been involved in “okada” accidents, leading to minor injuries, and dislocations
It was gathered that the council chairmen resorted to carrying out their official duties using motorcycles as they could no longer pay for vehicles which they have been using on hired basis since inauguration.
Recall that the council elections were held on Saturday, October 6, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winning all the 23 chairmanship seats, as well as 276 councillorship positions.
It was, however, gathered that about three weeks after they were issued with certificates of return by the chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Richard Tombowua, the state government has yet to empower the chairmen with official vehicles.
A source said one of the council chairmen was not lucky as he sustained injury in the accident involving him and the motorcycle riders conveying him to office.
He said, “It is sad that about three weeks after securing landslide victories in their respective councils, the 23 chairmen have not been given official vehicles to enable them hit the ground running.
“Due to the passion many of the newly- elected local government chief executives have for service, they resorted to plying what is known in local parlance as ‘okada’.
“From the feelers I got, three of the council chairmen have since fallen-off these means of transportation, sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
“I heard that one of them even suffered dislocation, and has since been receiving treatment.”
Another source, who confirmed the development, described it as “a very huge embarrassment to both the office of chairman, and that of the grassroots”.
Nonetheless, the source hinted that Governor Hyacinth Alia has done the needful by procuring the vehicles for official purposes.
“We heard that an influential political appointee of the governor, whose office coordinates activities of the third-tier of government, is the one allegedly delaying the release of official cars.
“The reason for the delay, is what has continued to baffle both the chairmen, and all other critical stakeholders, who are eager to see development return to the grassroots,” he said.
He exonerated Alia over what the state council chairmen are passing through, revealing that the governor has done everything within his powers to make the chairmen comfortable in the exercise of their official assignments.
“We know His Excellency, Gov. Alia does not allow his aides to overreach themselves, as he insists on playing by the rules and other dispositions that portray his administration in positive light.
“It is such misdemeanors that resulted in the recent suspension of the State’s Attorney General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice, Fidelis Mynin,” he source said.
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