Loading ...From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, ( APC), in Benue State, Barrister Emmanuel Jime has said that pilfering of the state’s commonwealth was responsible for infrastructural deficit in the state.
Jime stated this on Thursday while participating in the media dialogue organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Benue state council.
Jime who expressed sadness at the state of pensioners and number of months of arrears owed to workers in the state opined that if our resources are properly managed, government won’t be owing it’s workers and pensions.
He queried why the Benue state government led by Governor Samuel Ortom cannot run a Single Treasury Accounts as done at the federal level by President Mohammadu Buhari saying such best practices will help in blocking loopholes and ensure that no state money is stolen.
Jime who expressed his readiness to clinch victory at the Saturday governorship and state House of Assembly elections said this is the first time Benue is having a government who has not completed even a single project even as its four years tenure is wounding up.
“For the first time, you can’t believe government exists in Benue state. I think we should all be angry because if the state functions well or otherwise, we will all be affected. As a tribe of angry people, we must make a decision to move away from this narrative and recapture our essence which is greatness.
“So, to our state civil servants, our parents; pensioners who are dying and everyone in Benue state, I bring you message of hope.”
The APC guber candidate who spoke glowingly of his blueprint and his capacity to deliver the state from retrogression stated that his government will not trend on blame game Bute will take responsibility for its actions.
He said his administration will prioritize security of citizens, agriculture, welfare, health, education, civil service reforms among other sectors.
Speaking on the state anti open grazing law, Jime said he was an advocate of the law before it was enacted in the state.
“In 2011, I raised a motion on the floor of the House of the Hour of Representatives and proposed ranching as solution to the farmers/herders crises in the state.
Jime who stated that he will not abrogate the law as widely speculated said he would rather implement it in such a way that it provides the needed security for all. “So, let us not play politics with the law because it is far too important to be played with. It is the Venue people’s law and has come to stay,” he added.
Jime also said Benue is not as poor as the present government is making people believe adding that he will however think outside the box to attract developments to the state.
He therefore called on the Benue people to disregard the numerous propaganda against his candidature but come out enmass in Saturday to vote him into office.
