The Benue State Executive Council has approved the establishment of the State Bureau of Statistics to help coordinate Benue Statistical Systems.
This approval is in conformity with the policy direction of the National Bureau of Statistics to generate data for development.
EXCO also at it’s 6th Council meeting, approved the establishment of a Special Economic Industrial Park in Makurdi as well as request to consider a bill for the establishment of Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency.
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Ngunan Addingi who briefed journalists yesterday at the end of EXCO meeting presided over by Governor Samuel Ortom explained that the state government was determined to put in place necessary structures to stimulate economic growth.
She said approval was also given for the employment of 53 professional staff for Benue Television Corporation Makurdi, while request for a counterpart funding to bridge the gap in global fund grant from 2021-2023 for Tuberculosis in the state was also approved.
Mrs Addingi also told journalists that variation for additional work for the construction of the 29 kilometers Tse-Ortom-Tse Upev-Tse- Akaahena- Nassarrwa border road in Guma Local Government Area was also approved at the cost of N398.7 million.
The Commissioner further disclosed that an additional sum of N48.24m on the ongoing extension of electricity from the Rehabilitation Board to Apir-Yaikyo ring road in Makurdi was also approved.
Rehabilitation and reconstruction of Yandev Street in Wadata in Makurdi the State capital at the cost of N203.9 million received the nod by EXCO during yesterday’s meeting.
According to Mrs Addingi, review of the cost of renovation work on former Lobi Bank headquarters, now Board of Internal Revenue Service, BIRS headquarters is to be carried out to enable completion of work.
During the EXCO meeting, Governor Ortom received several awards including Grand Patron of Association of Resident Doctors Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Defender of the Faith by Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Award of Excellence by Y’s Men International and 3rd Republic House of Representatives Members Forum among others.
