Konshisha Local Government in Benue has constructed roads and culverts across the 11 wards as part of efforts to open up rural areas for development to flow in, Mrs. Justina Ubebe, its Chairman, said on Saturday.
Ubebe, who conducted newsmen round some of the projects, said that the goal was to improve the living standard of rural dwellers that had been neglected by successive administrations.
Among projects shown to the newsmen were roads, bridges, boreholes, culverts and public toilets.
Also constructed by the local government administration were revenue offices , town halls and schools, while markets were renovated.
She explained that a Police post was constructed at Ikyurav-Mbatyev ward to tackle rampant cases of armed robbery attacks on farmers and rural dwellers.
“This particular ward is the richest in terms of revenue generated from farm produce such as rice, soybeans and oranges. Unfortunately, it is prone to armed robbery attacks.
“The last experience was gruesome; the armed robbers killed a pregnant woman and shot her husband, leaving behind their little child.
“If there was a Police post, the security personnel would have engaged the robbers and saved lives,” she said.
The chairman, who said she visited many rural areas on assumption of office two years ago, regretted the shortage of funds that had frustrated her desire to reach more needy areas.
“Many rural areas need water, roads and basic health facilities. It is the duty of the local governments to provide these crucial facilities, but the funds are not there,” she said.
Ubebe said that six broken boreholes had been renovated while two new ones were being constructed to meet the water needs of some remote areas.
“As you can see, the distance between the last borehole and the one I constructed in Ikyurav-Mbatyev ward is more than five kilometres; that is the distance that was covered everyday on foot in the search for clean water,” he said.
She said that some communities were forced to set aside particular days to fetch water owing to the long distance covered on foot, regretting that Ikyurav-Mbatyev, the largest and most populated area, had no water and good road.
“The only road into the area passes through Cross River State. It was last graded in 1976,” he said.
Ubebe alleged that politicians in the area were against her commitment to a better life for the rural dwellers, saying that some hardly visit the area and do not know the harsh realities.
“Some politicians even sit in Makurdi and spread lies against me because I have refused to share funds meant for development to them,” she claimed.
The chairman said that she had been prudent with limited resources so as to execute many resources, and explained that project execution was carried out through direct labour. .
Ubebe explained further: “it would have cost us N12 million to renovate an office block of 10 rooms, but with direct labour, using our staff, we are spending N4.9 million.”
Some of the rural dwellers, commended the chairman for the projects which they said were impacting positively on their lives.
Mr Nyikwagh Busah, believed to be the oldest person in Ikyurav-Mbatyev ward, said that Ubebe had performed more than any other administrator in the area.
“The chairman has performed wonders. I want others to emulate her. As for us, we shall always thank and support her to do even more for us,” he said.
Others also commended her efforts and advised her to be focused and not be distracted by those not interested in assisting the poor.
