The Benue Government has set up a committee to work out ways for the filling of 300 vacant traditional stools in the state.

Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kenneth Achabo, dropped the hint yesterday in Makurdi.

He clarified that most of the stools had been occupied in acting capacity for almost 20 years.

Achabo said the panel is to look into the issue and report back in four weeks, adding that the process begins from Zome C and would be replicated in the other two zones.

The committee, which he heads, has first-class chiefs, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and others as members.

He stated: “The essence of the meeting was to rectify and take care of certain chieftaincy issues from Zone C, as we intend to fill vacancies in the whole of the state.

“There are over 300 vacant stools in the state and people have been acting in that position for up to 20 years. That is not good enough.”