TheCable

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue state, says his administration has given a “full blessing” to the autonomy of the 23 LGAs in the state.

The governor spoke in Makurdi, the state capital, on Monday at the opening of a two-day workshop organised by the bureau of LG and chieftaincy affairs.

The workshop was organised for chairmen and members of the LG interim executives in the state.

Alia said adequate plans have been outlined to open up the rural areas to enable grassroots economies to thrive.

He said his administration has also mapped out strategic projects for implementation in all the LGAs.

“I am happy to state that my administration has given its full blessings to the autonomy of our local governments. Funds due to the local governments will be promptly released,” he said.

“We are, therefore, committed to the growth and development of the system and have outlined adequate plans to open up the rural areas to enable rural economies to thrive.

“Distinguished invited guests, already, I have mapped out strategic projects and programmes which we are due to start execution and implementation in all the local government areas.

“It is hoped that by the time we complete these projects and programmes, the chequered history of our rural areas will be completely reversed.

“The economies of our rural areas will witness tremendous growth and this will positively impact on the people.”

The governor appealed to all the LG committees to intensify efforts towards increasing their internally generated revenue, to boost their capacity to provide for the welfare of their people.

Dennis Akura, special adviser to the governor on local government and chieftaincy affairs, urged the participants to take full advantage of the workshop.

He noted that once their capacity is developed they will be able to support the efforts of the governor at the grassroots level.