Nigerian Newsday

Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Gabriel Tor-Suswam, has appealed to the people of the state to support the new spirit of unity prevailing among prominent leaders in the current political dispensation.

He made the appeal at Daudu, Guma Local Government Area, during a reception organized for him and the new National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Samuel Ortom.

Governor Suswam said the political leaders in the present era, are determined to work together in order to attract the greatest democracy dividends to the people of the state.

"Gone are the days when Benue people in leadership positions at the national level worked at cross purposes with those at the state level," he said, stressing that if the state must move forward its leaders must cooperate with one another.

He warned those who fan embers of disunity to desist from their usual antics of sowing seeds of discord between one leader and another as a means of getting favour.

Mr. Suswam expressed happiness that sons and daughters of the local government area have come to play prominent roles in the development and history of the state and the nation and urged the people of the area to support them.

The governor appealed to the people to be patient with him as he seeks to address decades of neglect in the provision of much needed infrastructure assuring that he would adequately address the issues within his four-year mandate.

In his welcome speech, Guma council Chairman, Mr. Sebastian Mom, expressed appreciation to the state government for giving key appointments to indigenes of the area both at the state and federal levels, the elevation of Chief Ortom, as well as for the ongoing work on Gbajimba-Daudu road.

He however, appealed for the construction of the Makurdi-Yogbo-Udei and the Makurdi-Gbajimba roads in addition to speeding up work on the Gbajimba and Daudu electrification projects adding that there is also urgent need for the rehabilitation of the Abinsi-Tyulen-Wukari federal road.

Also addressing the people, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Terseer Tsumba, expressed happiness that the people of the area who were in the forefront of support to the Peoples Democratic Party during the electioneering process are now reaping dividends.

In his remarks, Mr. Ortom expressed appreciation to Governor Suswam for his support in his efforts to be elected into the national executive committee of the party and assured of his loyalty, and determination to work for the progress of the state and the nation.

The occasion, which attracted dignitaries across the state including Wantaregh Paul Unongo, also featured traditional cultural displays.