By Echo Blessing Ori 19/134404
The Benue State Government has expressed it’s readiness to partner Belgium in the development of viable sectors of the state economy.
Speaking today at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi,when he received the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Daniel Bertrand, Governor Ortom said his administration is ready to partner with Belgium in the area of agriculture, trade and investment.
Represented by the deputy governor, Engr Benson Abounu, Gov. Ortom explained that Benue State, being the food basket of the nation has very fertile land that accommodates a lot of crops even without applying organic fertilizers. He said the land is very fertile with enough water to support the production of all kinds of crops.
Governor Ortom lamented the inhumane and unprovoked crisis rocking the state resulting from the influx of armed Fulani herdsmen militia who are on a mission to claim Benue land.
He stated that the activities of the herdsmen, who he calls monsters in human clothing has resulted in untold hardship as over 1.5milion persons have been displaced from their ancestral homes and are now taking refuge in IDP Camps across the state.
Governor Ortom thanked the Ambassador for identifying with the people of Benue state, and appreciated his support towards internally displaced persons in the state.
In his remarks the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Daniel Bertrand thanked the governor stating that he and his team were in the state to render assistance to IDPs in the state and to explore other opportunities to strengthen their relationship with the people of Benue state.
He commended Governor Ortom for his remarkable leadership in the face of numerous challenges facing the state
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