One hundred additional buses have been added to the fleet of the Benue State transport company Benue Links in order to ease transportation problem in the state, Governor Hyacinth Alia said in Makurdi on Sunday.
Alia spoke at a reception for members of the Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ).
“In the area of transport, we have procured 100 buses for Benue Links to improve services and relief the burden of transportation.
“I am focused in attracting new investment and resuscitating moribund companies in the state,“he said.
He appreciated members of the media group for promoting and projecting the image and interest of the state government nationally and internationally.
“I have been informed of your efforts over the years on your modest contributions towards the actualisation of a better Benue.
“As you are aware, the challenges of development and transforming a state like Benue is daunting especially at this time.
“`Without disrupting the existing structures, I am genuinely committed to the transformation of Benue, harnessing the abundance untapped natural resources and vibrant youthful population,“he said.
On salaries and pension, he said government has consistently paid salaries and pension on 25th of every month to make lives easy for the citizens.
The governor said that 100 per cent payment of gratuities on retirement was another milestone in his administration.
He urged the media group to use their skills to counter fake news and propaganda aimed at sabotaging his administration.
“This is why I call on all of us from Benue to join hands with my administration and also invite our friends to support this efforts to rebuild Benue,“he said.
He called on members of the state executive council to take advantage of the presence of the group to project the activities of their various ministries.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Power and Transportation, Mr Omale Omale said that the buses on ground have been branded with the state transport company’s logo.
“They will be handed over to the management before the yuletide to ease transportation from Benue to any part of the country as well as the state.
“With this addition we will have a total of about 800 vehicles in the fleet of the company to ease transportation,” he said.
He said that with the additional buses, the governor has reviewed downward transportation fare on all routes within the state to make it affordable to all users.
On his part, the President, Conference of Benue Journalists, Mr Emmanuel Anule commended the state government for all the projects embarked upon in the state.
He urged the governor to sustain the tempo and also not to waver in his prompt and timely payment of salaries to civil servants.
Anule urged him to intensify efforts in addressing security challenges in the state and the people displaced from the their ancestral homes.
