Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has disclosed his administration’s resolve to restore the dignity of traditional institutions in the state.
He stated this during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi, maintaining that the traditional rulers are the custodians of the customs of the people and should stay in their domains to be respected.
He said the monarchs must be at liberty to summon any of their subjects in authority, including himself to the palace rather than going to visit them in their offices.
”They are custodians; whoever they want to see can be invited or summoned to their palaces so that the dignity of the chiefs can be restored.”
Special Adviser to Governor Alia on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Apera in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi, on Wednesday, said the Governor bemoaned the illegal mining, checkpoints and logging in the state’s hinterlands.
He tasked the traditional rules to support the government to curb the menace, requesting them to assist in identifying youths in their domain who are collecting illegal revenue and denying the government the needed funds for development.
He said the activities of illegal revenue collectors on highways, constitute a great burden to farmers and traders, thereby increasing the cost of products in the markets.
The Governor also tasked the traditional rulers in the state to report any illegal activities in their domain to security agencies and remain supportive of the government.
