The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council has inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the proposed operational facility of the newly approved Nigerian Army base in Oju Local Government Area of the state, describing the project as a major step toward strengthening security in the area.
The inspection was carried out by the Chairman, State Council of the NUJ, Bemdoo Ugber as part of the union’s ongoing assessment tour of all the 23 Local Government Areas in Benue State.
Ugber, speaking at the project site, expressed satisfaction with the quality of renovation work being carried out on the old NRC building, which is being converted to a temporary operational base for the army.
He called on residents to cooperate with security agencies in securing the facility and also appealed to the Oju Local Government Council to provide more temporary structures to aid military operations.
He said the new Army base is expected to deepen troops presence, improve response time to security threats and enhance protection of lives and property in Oju and its environs.
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The NUJ delegation also visited some development projects executed by the Oju Local Government Council under the leadership of the Chairman, Jackson Adah Ominyi after the military facility.
Ugber also identified the construction of a police post in Idelle, renovation of the Chairman’s Quarters and development of the Main Garage at Ihiejwo in Oju Main Market as some of its key interventions, as well as the listing of counterpart funding for the Oju–Awajir Road project.
He also revealed that the road to the Oju Local Government Secretariat was included in the state’s five-kilometre road program.
On governance, the Chairman of the Council expressed optimism that the restoration of local government financial autonomy would fast-track project delivery across Oju.
Ugber reiterated that the NUJ tour was not meant to witch-hunt any council administration, but to independently document achievements, identify challenges and promote accountability by drawing the attention of relevant authorities to issues of public concern.
