Benue state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has ordered the immediate dismantling of all illegal roadblocks mounted on highways across the state by fake tax collectors.
The Governor warned that his government would not allowed the activities of gangs who are hurting the state's economy by extorting business men and women as well as harassing transporters
He gave the directive while speaking in a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Francis Catholic Church Daudu, Guma Local Government Area, LGA, to mark the one year remembrance anniversary of late Mama Rebecca Yaaji Ortese, mother of the lawmaker representing Guma State constituency, Dr. Yanmar Ortese.
The Governor lamented that "commercial and economic activities in the state have suffered encumbrances due to the actions of some individuals who mount road blocks to collect illegal fees from business people and harass transporters.
"But we are determined to put a stop to their activities and ensure that the people who come to the state to do business are not extorted and harassed on our roads."
While urging the people of the state to report any suspected criminal activity around them to law enforcement agencies, the Governor pointed out that "citizens are under obligation to provide support to civil authorities and work in synergy with security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property."
The Governor also warned against indiscriminate felling of trees in the state, assuring that his government had plans to turn trees into viable source of income for Benue people.
He expressed optimism that peace would fully return to the state and those taking refuge in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps return to their ancestral homes.
Earlier, while preaching on the significance of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Rev. Fr. James Bature called on Christians to prepare themselves to be regular partakers of the meal of salvation.
Son of the decease, Dr. Ortese thanked Governor Alia for identifying with the Ortese family and for his love for the Hyarev people.
Present at the Mass were the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Aondona Dajoh, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Paul Biam, and other lawmakers.
No comments:
Post a Comment