By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has announced that his administration has procured modern medical equipment for the state’s 23 general hospitals to improve healthcare delivery and reduce the need for residents to travel long distances in search of quality medical services.
The governor also disclosed that the state-owned transport company, Benue Links Nigeria Limited, would soon take delivery of additional vehicles to ease transportation challenges facing residents.
Alia made the disclosures on Thursday at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Square, Makurdi, while speaking at the launch and inauguration of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Door-to-Door Movement 2027 initiative.
The movement was initiated by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who was represented at the event through the initiative he founded.
According to the governor, the medical equipment procured by his administration is intended to strengthen healthcare services across the state and ensure that residents can access quality treatment closer to their communities.
He disclosed that three containers conveying the equipment had arrived in Lagos and were undergoing clearance, while other consignments were still at sea.
Alia said the initiative was part of his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of residents and bringing the benefits of democracy closer to the people.
He emphasised that access to healthcare remained a priority, adding that the government would continue to invest in facilities that would improve service delivery across the state.
On transportation, the governor said Benue Links would soon receive another batch of vehicles to improve mobility and reduce the difficulties residents face travelling within and outside the state.
He recalled that he donated 100 buses to the transport company during his first 100 days in office, noting that the planned addition of more vehicles was aimed at strengthening its operations.
Alia said his administration was committed to ensuring that residents could carry out their daily activities without unnecessary transportation difficulties.
The governor also promised that more industries would be established during his anticipated second term, describing industrial development as a deliberate strategy to improve the state’s economic fortunes and create opportunities for its people.
He called on Benue residents to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections, urging stakeholders in the Door-to-Door Movement to take its message to communities across the state.
Alia said the initiative’s message that “everyone matters” should guide its mobilisation activities, stressing the importance of reaching people at the grassroots.
He also thanked Tompolo for establishing the movement and assured him that the 25 campaign vehicles donated for the initiative would be put to effective use.
Suswam Backs Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
Former Benue State Governor and Senator, Gabriel Suswam, also called on Nigerians, particularly young people, to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that the administration had initiated economic reforms whose benefits would be realised over time.
Suswam said the decisions taken by the current administration were aimed at transforming the economy and addressing longstanding structural challenges.
He maintained that the reforms represented a long-term investment in the country’s future, particularly for the younger generation.
According to him, Nigeria might have achieved greater development if previous administrations had undertaken similar measures earlier.
Suswam urged Nigerians to consider the long-term implications of the policies, even as citizens continue to experience economic difficulties.
His remarks reflected the position of supporters of the administration that current economic challenges should be considered alongside the government’s stated objectives for economic transformation.
APC Highlights Grassroots Engagement
The Benue State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Benjamin Omale, described the Door-to-Door Movement as an opportunity for political stakeholders to engage directly with voters, understand their concerns and explain government policies and programmes.
Omale urged members of the movement to take advantage of the party’s existing structures to reach communities across the state.
He said direct engagement would enable campaign coordinators to communicate the administration’s policies while obtaining feedback from residents on issues affecting their daily lives.
The APC chairman stressed the need for effective coordination among members to ensure that the initiative’s activities extended to all parts of Benue.
Book Launch, Vehicle Donation Mark Event
FirmNews reports that the event also featured the public presentation of a book titled Planting Today for Generational Harvest.
A major highlight was the donation of 25 campaign vehicles by Tompolo for distribution to local government coordinators to facilitate the movement’s activities across the state.
The vehicles are expected to support grassroots mobilisation and improve the ability of coordinators to reach communities as the 2027 election approaches.
The event brought together political leaders and stakeholders who expressed support for the Tinubu administration and called for increased engagement with voters ahead of the next general elections.
