Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has called for closer collaboration between the state government and the North-Central Development Commission to tackle insecurity and accelerate development across the state.
Governor Alia made the appeal on Wednesday while receiving the board and management of the commission during a meeting at the Old Banquet Hall in Makurdi.
The delegation, led by the commission’s chairman, Cosmos Akighir, and Managing Director, Cyril Tseenyil, paid a courtesy visit to the governor to discuss areas of cooperation.
Speaking during the meeting, Alia reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and ensuring that internally displaced persons safely return to their ancestral communities.
“Our government remains determined to reduce insecurity to the barest minimum across the state. We want our people to return home and resume their normal lives,” he said.
The governor noted that although progress had been made in stabilising some parts of the state previously affected by violent attacks, security challenges continue to evolve.
“Security is like a monster. When you cut off one part, another emerges to cause trouble. That is why sustained collaboration and vigilance are necessary,” he added.
Alia stressed that lasting peace would enable farmers and other residents to return to productive activities, especially in a state widely known for its agricultural output.
“The people of Benue deserve peace so they can continue their role as the food basket of the nation,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of cooperation in areas such as agriculture, employment generation and rural infrastructure development.
According to the governor, the state government has prioritised rural development in its current budget but acknowledged that years of neglect in many communities mean progress may take time without additional support.
“Agriculture and its value chain must remain a priority because of the impact it can have on livelihoods and economic growth,” Alia noted.
He further urged the commission’s leadership to ensure that its operations remain non-partisan, warning that politicising the agency could undermine its core mandate of regional development.
“This is a sensitive commission. Its work must remain apolitical so that it can effectively serve the people of the North-Central region,” he said.
