Over 20 Schools, 13 Clinics Remain Closed In Benue

Many schools, marketplaces, and primary health clinics have been shuttered for more than a year due to the ongoing actions of criminal elements within the council, according to Mr. Justine Shaku, Chairman of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue.

All of the council’s social infrastructure was also devastated, Shaku told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) over the phone on Tuesday.

He explained that “over 20 schools, 23 markets and 13 primary health clinics remain shut, following the continuous activities of criminal elements in the local government.

“A total of eight council wards are badly affected too.

“Insecurity in the area has been challenging. Agriculture, which is the major source of our livelihood, is greatly affected because of so many challenges at the moment.”

However, he declared that his government will concentrate on repairing, revitalizing, and reviving all of the council’s damaged economic areas.

He said he would focus on health, education, roads, agriculture and security, to boost the council’s economy, “and to ensure that the schools are back to life.”

Shaku, who said that the council secretariat is an eyesore, added that “it requires total rebuilding.”

He clarified that he intends to fulfill his campaign pledges and repair the council’s dilapidated infrastructure in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling giving local governments more autonomy.