Labaran Maku: Collaboration between states, LGAs vital for infrastructure delivery

Labaran Maku, former minister of information, says collaboration between the Benue state government and local councils is essential for infrastructure development.

Maku spoke on Monday during a media briefing in Benue after inspecting ongoing road projects across Zone A in the state.

The inspection covered key road projects, including the 20 kilometre Mbawuar Sec–Bako–Naa road with a 14 kilometre spur to Mede-Mbaakon, as well as the Ihugh road, which is still under construction.

Other roads visited include the 16 kilometre Branch Atser–Kornya road (Vandeikya/Konshisha), 29.3 kilometre Adikopo–Kotiyough road, 16.5 kilometre Ushongu–Gbem road, under pass at Gyado junction, Gboko and rehabilitation work on St. Joseph street and Adekaa in Gboko.

Maku, who now heads Timbuktoo Media Services (TMS), said the inspection forms part of his ongoing national good governance tour, an initiative he launched during his stint in office.

“We think that these are good projects, they are good road projects that will add value to the development of Benue state,” he said.

“This is a farming belt and an agricultural belt. Most of the problems we have in these areas is how you can convey food products to the cities.

“I have seen this key role that has been initiated by the governor, work is going on, they haven’t gone far yet, but you can see the determination to open up the rural areas with key roads that will fast-track the development of Benue state.

“I am impressed by the initiative of the state government partnering with local governments. That synergy will help to open up the state. That is very good if the state and local governments can bring their resources together.

“Because some local governments alone won’t be able to do projects that are capital-intensive. So these roads are good.”

He said if contractors stay on schedule and deliver the roads within the agreed timeframe, the state will reap real benefits.

“We believe that if the contractors can work on them steadily and deliver them within the contract timetable, that will be very, very good,” he said.

“They say development follows the road, and I think that there is consistency in the work we have seen and the state government can monitor, especially monitor the contractors very strictly, and be on them, and also, release the funds necessary for the completion of these works.

“I believe that if Governor Alia can commission between now and the next 12 months, it will add value to Benue state.

“So, we have seen these roads, they are very good initiatives. They are very good projects.

“The duty the state government now has is to stand strong and ensure that these roads are completed.

“Because if roads are not completed, then the state will not have the value for these roads. The state government means well by initiating these roads.”

On whether touring an APC-governed state as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain would spark political tension, Maku said the initiative is non-partisan and focused on development.

“The most important thing about democracy is we want to deliver, we want to support development and bring governments to account, and it’s not about APC or PDP or Labour Party, it’s about development that we are monitoring,” he said.

“Our hope was that the national good government forum would be permanent and force governments to work.

“The reason for this is that sometimes our political quarrels, our political disagreements, overtake the reason to focus on development.

“We are not interested in any government failing. When a government fails, it is very significant for the people.

“We want every government to succeed through work and delivering on development. So we are here to have set up this organisation, to monitor development.

“We are development reporters. Any government that believes they have something to show, we are private professional people. We are not here to talk about politics, we are here to talk about development.”