Benue indigene calls for the restructuring of the state Developmental Blueprint.

A Benue indigene and Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Nigerian Customs Service, Mr. Terhemba Paul Tortema has called for the review and restructuring of the developmental blueprint of Benue state which he said has become obsolete.

He made this known when members of Benue Journalists Forum, Nigeria (BJFN), led by the National President of the association, Joseph Saater Undu paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos recently.

Tortema who spoke on many challenges impeding the rapid development of the state however commended the regime of late Governor Aper Aku for laying a solid blueprint for the development of the state and urged the incumbent government and subsequent regimes not to dwell too long on the past, considering the fact that things are changing along with time.

“I commend past administrations in Benue State, most especially the late Governor Aper Aku, who laid down a roadmap for the development of the state. Others have only tried to build on that same plan he introduced; there hasn’t been anything new to the restructuring of the developmental roadmap. But I think it’s high time to review that program because things have changed along with time, and some developmental plans are already obsolete,” he said.

He advised that as a developing state, government must not rely on the past to determine the developmental agenda for the present or the future. According to him, “if you had put a secondary school somewhere in Okpoku Local Government in the past, when the population of the locals was just 5000, you would definitely have to increase the number of schools now because the population may have doubled or tripled. This will make everyone benefit and feel the presence of government.”

As it is now, he said, “We don’t even seem to understand what we actually need to help the state move forward. Apart from farming, which forms the nucleus of economic activities in the state, Benue is a civil service state. There is a wide gap between the poor and the civil servants. And to me, that is the problem of the state because many young people have no jobs. The government must begin to map out strategies to address this ugly situation because it has the onus to do so.

“Apart from being an agrarian state, a larger percentage of Benue indigenes depend on salary earnings from civil servants. There must be other viable economic alternatives to complement farming and civil service in the state so as to reduce overdependence of jobless youths in the state.”

He also called on Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, to initiate programs that will empower young graduates in business so they can become self-employed.

“The Government should search out and empower young graduates who are smart, trustworthy and have entrepreneurial skills. This can be done through soft loan schemes at zero or low percentage rate to help them start businesses. It could be through mechanized farming, processing and exportation of farm produce, importation of goods in high demand and so on.

“I haven’t seen a Benue man importing goods in containers through the sea ports since I’ve been serving in the Customs. Is it that we are not exposed or we just feel it’s not something we can do? I don’t think so. Igbo people who do those things are also humans; they don’t have two heads. And until you visit their hometown, you won’t believe they are multibillionaires,” he said.

He added that if young graduates can have access to funds, they can also excel in business. This, however, can’t be possible without the assistance of government. According to him, “other states are doing it and they are making progress. Governance is about being responsive to the yearnings and needs of the people,” he said.

While presenting a plaque to Tortema in recognition of his selfless service to Benue community and humanity in general, Undu said, “BJFN chooses to honour and celebrate Tortema for providing scholarships to few underprivileged Benue students out of his meagre resources.”

In addition, he said, “This is one of the things we encourage at BJFN, that, those who have should help those who don’t have. This award is not given to people based on their status, rank or position, but it is strictly based on their altruistic service to humanity. No one with all the money in the world can buy this award. We are very responsible, patriotic and honourable professionals. Ours is to encourage the spirit of selflessness among our people. Helping the downtrodden to live a decent life and empowering them to stand on their feet. That’s one of the ways we can ensure a safe, secure and sane society.

“Over the period of one year, we have identified and honoured several illustrious sons and daughters of Benue state origin because of their meritorious contributions to the society. They include Dr. Paul Angya, immediate past Acting Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria, (SON), Professor Innocent Ujah, immediate past Director General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Engineer Sylvanus C. Ghasarah, Chairman, Nigachem Nigeria Limited, N. J. Iortyer, Superintendent of Customs, Nigerian Customs Service and a renowned Nigerian female Blogger, Mrs. Mimi Atedze, owner of Fabmimi Blog.”