The Chairman of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Engr. Sunny Oche, has flagged off the construction of a five-kilometre asphalt road in Igumale, alongside the distribution of motorcycles to councillors to improve grassroots service delivery.
The road project, formally inaugurated at Camp, Igumale, is expected to connect communities within the council area and ease the movement of residents, farm produce and other goods.
Speaking at the ceremony, Oche said the project was part of his administration’s efforts to address infrastructure deficits and improve the living conditions of residents in line with the development agenda of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
He said the road would strengthen connectivity between residential communities and important facilities, including markets, schools and healthcare centres.
Oche said, “This project is a major intervention designed to improve transportation and stimulate economic activities across our communities. We are determined to deliver infrastructure that will have a direct impact on the people.”
He assured residents that the road would be constructed according to approved specifications and standards, while appealing to the benefiting communities to protect the project and cooperate with the contractor.
The chairman said, “Government cannot achieve sustainable development without the cooperation of the people. I therefore urge residents to support the contractor and report any concerns that may arise during the construction.”
The contractor, Engr. Gabriel, assured the council and residents that the project would be executed with quality materials and delivered within the agreed timeframe.
The Leader of the Ado Local Government Legislative House, Hon. Agbo Adadu, also pledged that the legislature would exercise its oversight responsibility by monitoring the project to ensure compliance with the contractual terms and required standards.
Meanwhile, Oche distributed brand-new motorcycles to members of the legislative house and supervisory councillors to facilitate their movement across their respective wards.
The motorcycles, which were delivered in their original boxes and assembled before distribution, were described by the chairman as working tools that would enable the beneficiaries to reach their constituents more easily, particularly during the rainy season.
Oche said, “These motorcycles are not luxury items. They are tools for effective grassroots representation. Our councillors need to be able to move around their wards, attend to community concerns and perform their official responsibilities without unnecessary transportation difficulties.”
He urged the beneficiaries to maintain the motorcycles properly and use them strictly for their official responsibilities.
He added, “I expect the beneficiaries to take ownership of these motorcycles, maintain them properly and use them responsibly. The objective is to improve service delivery and strengthen the relationship between elected representatives and the people.”
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Adadu thanked the governor and the council chairman, describing the gesture as timely, especially in view of the transportation difficulties experienced in some communities during the rainy season.
The Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Sunday Otse Ogenyi, also commended the intervention and called for continued cooperation among elected officials and other stakeholders to accelerate development in the council area.
Oche further commended Governor Alia for his support for local government administration, saying the road project and provision of mobility support were part of efforts to strengthen grassroots governance and deliver tangible benefits to residents.
