Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has approved the construction of a 16-kilometre road to end a 46-year-old land dispute involving the Nigerian Air Force Tactical Air Command and its host communities in Makurdi, the State’s capital.
The decision was reached after a meeting attended by the Governor and a delegation from the Air Force, and representatives of Ugondo and Mbaivur communities to discuss ways to resolve the lingering land dispute.
Governor Alia said at the meeting that the construction of the road would link the borders of Makurdi and Gwer-West, up to the Gwer-West boundary with the Gboko Local Government Area.
The intervention is expected to make the communities more accessible.
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According to Alia, resolving the dispute will attract more Federal Government presence, thereby bringing more development to the state.
Governor has commended the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, for his efforts to ensure that the decades-long dispute was resolved.
Speaking, Governor Alia reiterated his administration’s readiness to ensure that more developmental projects are brought into the state.
He added that the road would serve as a permanent boundary between the natives and the Air Force.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force, Makurdi, AVM F. O. Edahosa, noted that efforts made in the past to resolve the land dispute had failed.
He said that the Chief of Air Staff has also shown interest in the resolution of the case, considering how strategic Benue State is.
He appreciated the Governor for his tireless efforts and desire to ensure peace in the state, pointing to some of the meetings the governor had held with the heads of different security agencies since he assumed office.
Also responding, the Mue Ter Ugondo, Chief Clement Kurugh, and Amir Ishor, the representative of the Ter Makurdi, all appreciated the governor and the Chief of Air Staff for wading into the land dispute, saying they trust the governor’s efforts to resolve the issue and bring a lasting solution.
