By Bridget Ikyado Tikyaa
The Benue State Government says it will soon commence urban renewal projects in Makurdi to enhance the city’s beauty, boost economic activities, and improve security.
The General Manager of Benue State Urban Development Board, Mr Ternongo Mede, who made the disclosure in an interview said that the focus would be on areas around the waterfronts.
Mede said that Gov. Hyacinth Alia had mandated the board to assess the areas to be affected by the urban renewal initiative and report back to him.
He said that the board had conducted the assessment of the riverbanks from Wadata to North Bank and submitted the report through the commissioner for works and housing.
He described the state of the areas targeted for the urban renewal projects as an eyesore that needed to be worked on immediately.
“I have made several efforts to see that the aspect of that river bank when approaching Makurdi Bridge, which is an eyesore, be removed.
“We have discovered those responsible for erecting those shanties that defaced the city waterfront, but working to correct the situation.
“Waterfronts are areas corporate organisations should acquire and erect magnificent buildings to show their strength in the society.
“For our security, we need to develop the river banks in such a manner that it would be more organised for better monitoring,” he said.
Mede expressed confidence that the governor would pursue the project to a logical conclusion.
He said that the state witnessed serious development in many sectors of the state within the 19 months that Alia had been on the saddle.
The general manager expressed optimism that before the expiration of Alia’s tenure, the river banks would become a lovely site for the public to behold.
