Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government, Engineer Sunday Oche has rejoiced with the government of Benue State under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia and the good people of the State as the state marks its 50th creation anniversary.
Engineer Oche sent his congratulations through a press statement issued to journalists by his Media Office this morning.
According to Oche, the anniversary is a milestone and also an avenue to appreciate Governor Hyacinth Alia over his giant strides in the areas of education, health, security, workers welfare, agriculture, rural and urban development, electrification projects and supports to local government administration.
Oche stated further that Father Alia will further develop Benue State if given another chance in 2027, noting that his achievements within the last three years has spoken volumes about his good plans for the State.
The Ado Local Government chairman however promised that his administration will continue to complement efforts of the State government in all the areas of governance.
According to him, the governor, while swearing-in them as local government chairmen tasked them to use all the resources available to them to develop their various local government areas as a way to complement the transformation agenda of his administration.
Oche stated that within a year in office s chairman, he has demonstrated an unyielding commitment to transparency, accountability, and service delivery — translating vision into measurable progress across key sectors.
Engineer Oche who pointed at the enhanced Revenue Generation and Financial Reforms under his administration stated that his earliest reform was the dissolution of the existing Revenue Committee to restructure the Local Government’s internally generated revenue system.
Within two months, he inaugurated a new team of Revenue Commissioners drawn from Ado’s five districts — Utonkon, Agila, Igumale, Ulayi, and Ijigban. This initiative has led to a remarkable 320% increase in IGR, the highest in the Council’s history, strengthening the Council’s financial base for grassroots development” a statement from the Chairman’s media office said.
He added that the Recovery of Local Government Assets was a great achievement of his administration, stressing that in his commitment to accountability and prudent asset management, he led a successful recovery of critical Council assets, including a government-owned tractor that had been wrongfully withheld by a contractor. He noted that the tractor was refurbished for agricultural purposes, while another was acquired, bringing the total to two functional tractors currently supporting agribusiness in the Local Government.
The chairman also cited Blocking Revenue Leakages and Combating Illegal Tax Racketeering as another success of his administration, stressing that upon uncovering illegal tax racketeering by a firm known as Forte Harvest Company, he ordered immediate investigation and arrest of the perpetrators.
Engineer Oche said that he has addressed a ten-year non-remittance issue at the Utonkon Primary Healthcare Mortuary, recovering outstanding revenues from 2014 to 2024. “These decisive actions curtailed revenue leakages, restored fiscal integrity, and reinforced public trust in governance” he said in the statement from his media office.
He noted that there is a massive light up project going on across all the council wards in Ado local government, adding that it was made possible through the help of the State government.
He also pointed at the Igumale-Agila road construction that is near completion as one of the efforts of the State government to boost investment and agriculture in the local government.
On security challenges , Oche stated that security and peacebuilding have remained his top priorities, noting that he has facilitated several peace dialogues, including a landmark peace parley with Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi of Ebonyi State, leading to the restoration of peace between the Ezza and Effium communities.
He stated that his administration’s interventions in Ezza-Idelle and Ndeobashi (Ekile District) have ended decades-long hostilities.
He lauded Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia (Ph.D.) for making Ado Local Government the Operational Base of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard (Zone C), codenamed Anyamnyor, comprising nine Local Governments, saying that it’s a testament to Ado’s strategic role in ensuring a safer Benue.
On healthcare advancement, Oche said that as part of his plan to strengthen healthcare delivery, he has provided solar-powered refrigerators for drug and vaccine storage in Primary Health Centres across the Local Government. He noted that he has also commissioned a solar installation at Utonkon PHC and donated funds for the electrification of nearby communities.
According to him, in June 2025, he officially flagged off the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) for children, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to child health and preventive care.
On Revitalization of Star Cement Factory, Igumale, the chairman said that he has initiated an on-site inspection that prompted swift government response.
Following his report, two Chinese geologists arrived in August 2025 to commence a joint assessment with the Benue State Government, signaling renewed hope for industrial revitalization and job creation in Ado.
On Youth Empowerment and Employment Creation, Oche stated that his administration appointed a significant number of young aides and committee members, ensuring youth participation in governance and building a pool of emerging leaders for future political and civic engagement.
On timely Payment of Salaries, he stated that he has maintained consistent and prompt salary payments, aligning with Governor Alia’s administration’s policy of fiscal discipline and workers’ welfare.
On Road Construction and Infrastructure Development, the 31.5km Igumale–Agila Road reconstruction, part of Governor Alia’s 126km road network project, has received full support from the Council Chairman, who ensures worker safety and project supervision.
In addition, several road mapping and design proposals — including the Otukpo–Utonkon–Igumale Road and the Utonkon–Okpoga Road — have been submitted to the State Government for approval, promising to improve inter-community connectivity and commerce.