Ortom appeals to FG for refund N6 billion projects sum

Gov denies report on killing of herdsmen by Agatu in Benue

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has appealed for refund of over N6 billion contract sums owed the state by the Federal Government.

Ortom, who spoke yesterday after inspecting ongoing work at the Daudu-Gbajimba road, the Mu bridge and the Gbajimba-University of Agriculture road projects in Guma local council area of the state said the payment of the debt would enable his administration undertake more development projects in the state.

He explained that the Federal Government was yet to refund to the state over N3.2 billion expended on road projects, N800 million spent on water projects and over N2 billion accruable to the state from the ecological fund.

The governor, who commended the pace and quality of work at the Daudu-Gbajimba road, as well as the Mu bridge project, urged the contractor, Hajaig Construction to adhere to the contractual specifications.

Ortom and his team also inspected the renovation work at School of Nursing, Makurdi, construction of the Mobile Barracks and Achusa road projects and the abandoned rehabilitation work at the premises of the state media outfit, Voice Newspapers.

Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has denied reports that the Agatu people in Benue were behind the recent killing of some herdsmen and 83 cows in Nasarawa State.

Ortom said information before him shows that the herdsmen were attacked by the Agatu in Nasarawa State, who had earlier displaced them from their villages.

Ortom, who addressed journalists after holding a security meeting with Agatu indigenes in Benue yesterday, said over 10 Agatu communities in Nasarawa State are similar with those in Benue State.