The Benue State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has taken stock of development projects and public services in Gwer East Local Government Area as part of its ongoing tour of LGAs across the state.
Led by the State Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, the team visited Gwer East on Tuesday to get first-hand information on government projects, evaluate their impact, and highlight areas needing improvement.
Speaking during the visit, the council’s Information Officer, Mr. Christopher Avir, who represented the Chairman, Hon. Timothy Nyiakura Adi, said the current administration met the council secretariat in a dilapidated state and had since carried out major rehabilitation works.
According to Avir, facilities renovated include the Personnel Department, Chairman’s Office, offices of the Deputy Chairman and Secretary, Conference Hall, NYSC, Internal Auditor, NULGE, Inspectorate and Civil Defence offices, as well as the Chairman’s Guest House.
He further disclosed that the council installed a 500KVA transformer at the Aliade Rice Mill, built a bridge on the Namor-Aliade Road, and started a 5-kilometre road linking Ojilagbo to Hausa Quarters in Aliade.
Avir added that the construction of General Hospital Aliade Road has been awarded to Tracta Construction Nigeria Limited, while solar-powered streetlights are being installed around the Aliade main market and along the Aliade-Otukpo Road.
The NUJ team also inspected service delivery at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Annex in Aliade. The Acting Administrator, Mr. Eugene Aondoaver, told journalists that the annex was made possible through the support of the local government and has improved access to specialist care for residents of Gwer East and nearby LGAs.
He, however, listed key challenges facing the facility to include lack of an ambulance, inadequate ward space, erratic power supply, and absence of a functional water system.
Aondoaver said the hospital still needs emergency, male, female and children’s wards to meet teaching hospital standards. He noted that work is ongoing on new buildings for radiology and paediatrics departments to expand service capacity.
On the essence of the tour, Comrade Ugber said the NUJ’s goal was not to witch-hunt officials but to independently verify government activities.
“Our aim is to gather accurate information on what government is doing, assess how projects are affecting the people, and point out areas that need more attention. This is about promoting accountability and development through responsible journalism, not a probe,” the NUJ Chairman stated.
He said the findings from the assessment would be made public to inform citizens on the state of projects and services, and to call attention to areas requiring further intervention.