Keffi Ends Years of Water Scarcity in Makurdi Communities With 30 Boreholes, Showcase Health, Security Projects, Pledges More Dividends

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

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

Keffi, who spoke on his achievements since assuming office, said his administration has renovated health facilities across the 11 council wards, describing healthcare as one of the areas he considered critical to the development of the local government.

According to him, the council has also embarked on an aggressive water intervention programme, with more than 30 boreholes drilled in different communities.

He said over 25 boreholes were recently initiated, with about 21 completed and awaiting commissioning, while work was ongoing on others.

The chairman said the council had also extended access to treated water to communities around the University of Agriculture, Makurdi axis, now the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi explaining that water was conveyed over a distance of about three kilometres to communities including Beetseh and neighbouring settlements.

Keffi said the water projects were aimed at addressing the many years of challenges residents faced in accessing potable water.

Beyond water and healthcare, the council chairman said his administration has 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 improve 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 enabling 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 pay 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 yielded positive results, as residents had returned to some communities and farming activities had resumed.

He said “People have gone back to their ancestral qhomes and are staying comfortably. Farming has been going on.”

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 took a tour of the projects to see things for themselves.

At the time of visit at Kanshio community, behind the mechanic village, a resident, retired Staff Sergeant Anthony Ahuwa, expressed joy that he was still alive to see portable water in his community.

Pa Ahuwa said “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, called on the Chairman to make a way and provide them with access road explaining that the road from the mechanic village, to their area, was not motor able. “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 her community with water.

Mrs Zengen who is the woman leaders in the community said the Chairman’s gesture has ended several years of going distances in search for water especially for woman and children especially during the dry season.

She prayed God to grant him more wisdom, knowledge and long life to continue doing 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.