The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has revealed that he would not seek for re-election in 2019, until he hears from God, to do so.
He stated this while reacting to the calls from some youth group, that he should seek re-election, in 2019.
He said God had shown him a vision in 1992, that he was going to be a Governor in Benue State, which became manifested 23 years after.
“I saw a vision in 1992, and God asked me to go and become the Governor of Benue State. I attempted to become Governor in 2012, but it was not possible until in 2015, when God said it was time.
“If God directs me that I should go for a second term, no one can stop me. But if God has not spoken, I won’t re-contest”, he said.
He however, described as “distraction”, the pressure from some quarters for his re-election, saying he was barely 2 years in office, and the development of the State was his utmost priority.
“Before we came in, there were insecurity here and there – kidnapping, robbery, cultism and all that; but through our amnesty programme, over 900 criminals surrendered their weapons, and we are now living in peace”.
The Governor, said in addition to the plastic industry and cassava processing plants, his government also concession the Otukpo burnt brick to a foreign company, waiting their arrival; adding that, arrangements were also underway to revamp the Igumale Cement Company.
On the implementation of the Anti-Grazing and Anti-Cultism Law recently passed by the State Assembly, Governor Ortom said machineries were already in place to ensure herdsmen and others obey the law, vowing that those caught violating the law, would be sanctioned.
Ortom said: “There shall be special guards to support security agencies, and the local vigilante group shall also support them.”
He said more cell facilities were being constructed at the Makurdi Prisons, and as from November 2017, anyone who breaks the law shall be thrown into the prison, after conviction.
The Governor, assured the herdsmen and those interested in ranching, that the State would provide land and adequate security for them, calling on the Federal Government to also give subsidy to help the ranching policy and encourage those participating in it.
While answering questions on the recently flagged off yam exportation to Europe, the Governor said the initiative would provide job opportunities to teeming graduates in Benue, in areas of production, packaging, and marketing.
He allayed the fears that there would be shortage of food, if the exportation continues, adding that, Benue currently contributes about 46% of total yam production in Nigeria, and with the recent development, the production would increase to over 60%.
Ortom, in his response to the ongoing ASUU strike at the State owned University, said the government was already talking with the striking Lecturers, and that the industrial action would soon come to an end.
The Governor however, expressed displeasure over the conduct of the Lecturers. According to him: “Their grudge is about the 6 years accumulated allowances by the past administration. They were on strike before we came in, and we had to intervene before they resumed work.”
He said despite the meagre resources available to him, every month he coughs out the sum of N570m to the institution, whereas, Ebonyi State University gets only N200m from the government, while Nasarawa State University gets just N180m monthly from the State Government.
On the issue of non payment of salaries to workers in the State, the Governor said he was able to control the payment, by paying one full month salary within two months, based on the understanding his government had with the various union groups in the State.
Despite what he described as “shortfall in allocations and IGR”, the Governor said he was able to manage the payment of salaries, so that workers will not embark on strike.
