By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has restated the resolve of his administration to find an amicable and lasting resolution in the land crisis between the Ugondo community and Nigerian Air Force, NAF, 39 years after the institution’s establishment.
Alia who made the indication when he met with leaders of both parties at government house Makurdi, disclosed that his administration intends to construct road around the perimeter fence of the Air Force Base to serve as a barrier between the force and the host community, adding that the measures would also prevent parties from crossing to the other side of the road to cause crisis.
He directed commissioner’s of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, that of Work’s and Housing, the Attorney General and commissioner for justice and public order to hold a meeting with members of the Ugondo community and leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, to see how the dispute could be resolved amicably.
The governor equally told Ugondo community that constitutionally all lands belonged to the federal and state governments but assured them that government would not neglect them in trying to resolve the dispute to enable his administration open up the area for development to thrive..
In a remark, leader of the Nigerian Air Force delegation, Air Commanding Officer Tactical Air Command Makurdi, AVM Francis Edosa, accompanied by some directors at the force headquarters Abuja acknowledged the firm commitment demonstrated by Governor Hyacinth Alia to strengthen the relationship between Benue State government and the Nigerian Air Force.
On their part, Chief Clement Kulugh and Amir Ishor on behalf of Ugondo communities, expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by Alia and the chief of Air Staff Air Marshall Abubakar for their sincerity in resolving the land dispute.