N18 billion loan: Benue governor, Ortom commends Buhari

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for releasing the sum of N18 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria to support State governments across the nation.

Ortom made the commendation on Friday during an interaction with Journalists at the Benue Peoples Government House, Makurdi.

The governor, who clarified that the money was not a grant but a loan, said it would assist most states in tackling some fundamental challenges of development.

Ortom said the Benue Executive Council (EXCO) would soon meet to prioritise the utilisation of the funds.

He disclosed that for a state that had been running a deficit budget, the money would support in critical areas like payment of salary arrears and to tackle infrastructure deficit.

”We will ensure that the utilisation of the money has direct impact on the lives of our people,” he assured.

Ortom regretted the recent killing of a priest and others at Tor Donga village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state and assured that those behind the act would be apprehended.

He said his administration would continue to collaborate with security agencies in the state to protect lives and property of all citizens.(NAN)