The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State, Mr. Emmanuel Jime has said that pilfering of the state’s commonwealth was responsible for infrastructural deficit in the state.
Jime stated this on Thursday while participating in the media dialogue organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Benue state council.
Jime who expressed sadness at the state of pensioners and number of months of arrears owed to workers in the state opined that if the state’s resources were properly managed, government won’t be owing it’s workers and pensions.
He queried why the Benue state government led by Governor Samuel Ortom could not run a Single Treasury Accounts as done at the federal level by President Mohammadu Buhari saying such best practices will help in blocking loopholes and ensure that no state money was stolen.
Jime who expressed his readiness to clinch victory at the Saturday governorship election said this was the first time Benue would have a government that did not completed a single project even as its four years tenure was winding up.
“For the first time, you can’t believe government exists in Benue state. I think we should all be angry because if the state functions well or otherwise, we will all be affected. As a tribe of angry people, we must make a decision to move away from this narrative and recapture our essence which is greatness.
“So, to our state civil servants, our parents; pensioners who are dying and everyone in Benue state, I bring you message of hope.”
The APC guber candidate who spoke glowingly of his blueprint and his capacity to deliver the state from retrogression stated that his government will not trend on blame game but will take responsibility for its actions.
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He said his administration will prioritize security of citizens, agriculture, welfare, health, education, civil service reforms among other sectors.
Speaking on the state anti open grazing law, Jime said he was an advocate of the law before it was enacted in the state.
“In 2011, I raised a motion on the floor of the House of Representatives and proposed ranching as solution to the farmers/herders crises in the state.
Jime who stated that he would not abrogate the law as widely speculated said he would rather implement it in such a way that it provides the needed security for all. “So, let us not play politics with the law because it is far too important to be played with. It is the Benue people’s law and has come to stay,” he added.
Jime also said Benue was not as poor as the present government was making people believe adding that he will however think outside the box to attract developments to the state.
He therefore called on the Benue people to disregard the numerous propaganda against his candidature but come out en-mass on Saturday to vote him into office.
