Mr. Justine Shaku, the Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue State, has expressed grave concerns over the ongoing criminal activities in the council, which have led to the prolonged closure of schools, markets, and primary health clinics for over a year.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, Shaku reported that the pervasive insecurity has resulted in the shutdown of more than 20 schools, 23 markets, and 13 primary health clinics, with eight council wards significantly affected. He emphasized the detrimental impact of these issues on local agriculture, which serves as the primary source of livelihood for many residents.
“Insecurity in the area has been challenging,” he stated. “Agriculture, which is the major source of our livelihood, is greatly affected because of so many challenges at the moment.”
Despite these challenges, Shaku is committed to revitalizing the local economy through focused efforts on rebuilding, rehabilitating, and resuscitating essential economic sectors, including health, education, roads, agriculture, and security. He aims to restore normalcy to the area, stating, “I will ensure that the schools are back to life.”
Additionally, Shaku described the council secretariat as an “eyesore” that requires complete rebuilding. He expressed optimism following the Supreme Court judgment that granted autonomy to local governments, indicating a renewed commitment to addressing the decayed infrastructure within the council and fulfilling his campaign promises.