By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Benue State House of Assembly has promised to commence a legislative process to upgrade the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation Development, BICD, into an agency of government, considering achievements it has recorded within a short period of existence.
Chairman House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals and Donor Agencies of the Assembly, Terwase Uche, made the promise while interacting with journalists, Friday, in Makurdi, after an oversight function at the Bureau.
He further revealed to journalists that after about three visits previously,the Assembly was impressed with management of the Bureau in terms of performance, adding that the Assembly is considering in addition to commencing legislative process to back status of the Bureau with a law by changing it to an agency, and has equally given the Bureau a path on the back.
” Like we have said, this Bureau with the support of the governor has performed creditably well and above board, so for this reason, the Benue State House of Assembly, this day, passes vote of confidence on the governor for wonderful support and management of the Bureau for doing a good job for Benue people” Uche said.
He also disclosed that the Assembly is particularly happy that the Bureau has achieved so much within a short period by attracting funding to the state to the tune of over N80 billion, describing such achievements as a wonderful milestone under the present management which he noted must be emulated by other agencies of government for progress of the state.
The House Chairman on Sustainable Development Goals and Donor Agencies equally expressed satisfaction over achievements recorded under the leadership of the Bureaus director general Leo- Angelo Viashima, especially as a young man, assuring that the House whose upmost concern is to ensure that the welfare of Benue people is paramount, promised to support the governor and those serving under him to enable the administration deliver dividends of democracy to Benue people.
Uche appealed to Governor Alia to provide same support to other Government Agencies serving the people by creating same enabling environment in whatever responsibilities they would be carrying out, assuring that the Assembly on its part will continue to support programmes of the administration that prioritize welfare of Benue people.
On his part Director General, Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation Development, BICD, Leo- Angelo Viashima in a remark, explained that the Bureau mobilize and coordinate resources from donor agencies on behalf of Benue State Government and commended the House of Assembly for the vote of confidence passed on the governor and the Bureau, acknowledging that the Bureau under his watch wouldn’t do much without the support of Governor Hyacinth Alia, and dedicated the pass mark given them to the governor.
The D/G who said the Bureau does not implement programmes, explained that the N80b generated by his office through donor agencies has been released to other Government Agencies, Ministries and departments, stressing that the funds are used to support agricultural projects such as IFAD, malaria treatment,HIV AIDs through the ministry of Health, Humanitarian Affairs,SEMA and Education among others, adding that the Bureau has also secured recently another 10,000 dollar support for the Benue State sexual assault and referral center.
He commended the Assembly for finding it expedient to pass vote of confidence on the Governor and the Bureau, expressing optimism that it will spur him and his team to do more for the state.
