30 Boreholes, Better Security: Keffi Showcases Makurdi Projects

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area (LGA), Mr. Joseph Keffi, says his administration has prioritised healthcare, water supply, infrastructure and security as part of efforts to improve the wellbeing of residents across the council.

Keffi, while speaking on his achievements since assuming office, said his administration had renovated health facilities across the 11 council wards, describing healthcare as one of the critical areas for the development of the local government.
He also disclosed that the council had embarked on an aggressive water intervention programme, with more than 30 boreholes drilled in various communities.
According to him, over 25 boreholes were recently initiated, with about 21 completed and awaiting commissioning, while work continued on others.
The chairman said the council had also extended access to treated water to communities around the University of Agriculture, Makurdi axis, now known as Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. He explained that water was conveyed over a distance of about three kilometres to communities including Beetseh and neighbouring settlements.
Keffi said the water projects were designed to address the years of difficulties residents had faced in accessing potable water.
Beyond water and healthcare, the chairman said his administration had improved facilities at the local government secretariat, including the provision of toilet facilities for workers.
He added that the council had constructed culverts and provided mobility support to elected legislators and the 11 ward party chairmen.
Keffi described the interventions as part of efforts to strengthen human capacity and enhance the ability of community representatives to carry out their responsibilities.
On security, the chairman said his administration had placed significant emphasis on restoring peace and creating conditions for displaced residents to return to their ancestral communities.
He said his academic background in criminology and security studies, including a master’s degree in the field, had influenced his decision to give particular attention to security challenges confronting communities in the local government.
According to him, security personnel, including soldiers, were deployed to various communities to restore confidence and create an environment conducive for residents to return home.
He said the intervention had produced positive results, with residents returning to some communities and farming activities resuming.
“People have gone back to their ancestral homes and are staying comfortably. Farming has been going on,” he said.
The chairman also linked the improved security situation to increased political and community mobilisation, saying activities in the affected areas had become more stable.
Keffi maintained that his administration had implemented more projects than those highlighted during the interview, stressing that the projects were spread across the 11 council wards and could be verified.
Our correspondent reports that members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, toured the projects to assess them.
During the visit to Kanshio community, behind the mechanic village, a resident, retired Staff Sergeant Anthony Ahuwa, expressed joy that he was alive to witness the provision of potable water in his community.
Pa Ahuwa said the development was a source of joy after years of suffering from lack of water.
“It is a thing of joy for us because we have been suffering from lack of water for a long time. For years, nobody came to assist us, and there was no water in the area.
“Now that he has fulfilled the promise he made by providing this water, we are very happy with him. I want him to continue serving us, and other communities as well. He is doing very well.”
He, however, appealed to the chairman to provide an access road to the community, explaining that the road from the mechanic village to their area was not motorable.
“At least, if there is a way the government can assist us, we would appreciate it,” he added.
Also speaking, Mrs. Veronica Zengen applauded the Makurdi chairman for providing water to the community.
Mrs. Zengen, the women leader in the community, said the chairman’s gesture had ended several years of travelling long distances in search of water, particularly for women and children during the dry season.
She prayed for God to grant him more wisdom, knowledge and long life to continue the good work.
“I also thank God for our Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, who has sent his representative. May God Almighty guide all of them and give them wisdom and knowledge.”