APA STAKEHOLDERS SET UP TECHNICAL COMMITTEE TO FAST-TRACK LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
*Reaffirm Support for Zoning Arrangement,
*Commend TETFund Boss, Demand Security Action
Stakeholders in Apa Local Government Area have inaugurated a technical committee to craft a comprehensive economic development blueprint for the region, in a bold move aimed at accelerating growth and unlocking its latent potential.
At a cross-party meeting held yesterday in Otukpo, convened by former state lawmaker, Dr. Denis Abutu, participants expressed deep concern that despite the area’s wealth of human and natural resources, the absence of cohesive leadership and a unified vision has stunted meaningful development.
To address this, the gathering constituted an interim leadership structure comprising three eminent personalities to steer the local government’s collective agenda. Former Commissioner for Education, Chief Bernard Omaiye, was unanimously chosen to lead the team, with former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Dan Ale, and the convener, Dr. Denis Abutu, serving as his deputies.
The stakeholders collectively lauded the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, for his role in attracting the Federal College of Education to Odugbo, noting that the institution has not only generated employment opportunities but has also significantly stimulated commercial activities in the area.
However, the meeting was not without lament. The stakeholders decried the repeated herdsmen attacks on Apa communities, which have resulted in loss of lives, mass displacement, and severe disruptions to farming—the local economy’s backbone. They called on the government to urgently fulfil its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property.
In a strong reaffirmation of the 2011 rotational zoning agreement between Apa and Agatu local governments, the stakeholders emphasized that 2027 is the turn of Apa to produce the next member of the House of Representatives for the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency. They insisted the agreement, which was duly signed by leaders of both LGAs, must be upheld to ensure equity and fairness, and urged that it should not be subverted under any guise.
They further called on the people of Benue South to uphold the principles of fairness, equity, and justice in the allocation of elective offices across the senatorial district.
Further consolidating efforts toward unity and identity, the stakeholders proposed the institution of an annual “Apa Day” to celebrate community achievements and deliberate on development challenges facing the LGA.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Denis Abutu expressed gratitude for the overwhelming turnout and robust engagement from the attendees, pledging that all resolutions would be pursued to implementation.
The meeting drew a distinguished audience, including former Secretary to the State Government, Prof. David Salifu; Commissioner for Energy, Power and Transport, Barr. Omale Omale; former Commissioner for Finance, Dr. David Olofu; former Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Sani Ochijele; Elder Bernard Omaiye; former Deputy Speaker, Dan Ale; Chief Mathew James Inalegwu, Dr. Philip Eche; Engr. Garba Echono; ex-lawmaker Baba Otache; Barr. Ada Ocholi; Emmanuel Ogwola; and Owoicho Oyi, among many others.
The newly constituted technical committee on economic development, chaired by Engr. Garba Echono, is expected to present its report at the next stakeholders’ meeting.