Benue state government is poised to reform and build a workable local government system that would bring the needed development at the third tier of government.
Governor Hyacinth Alia stated this while declaring open a five day retreat for local government career top fumctionaries, organised by the Local Government Service Commission in collaboration with Genji Consults held at Nnam Hotel, Makurdi.
Represented by his Chief of Staff Barrister Moses Atagher, the Governor noted that, Local Governments in the state have suffered many years of neglect hence his administration’s resolve to invest in the infrastructural growth at the grassroots to function effectively adding that when local government areas are developed, the state would equally progress.
The 5-Day Retreat which had as its theme: Strategic Systems Appraisal for Competence in the Local Government Councils of Benue State ended Friday, 5th December, 2025 at Nnam Hotel Conference Hall in Makurdi.
A communique issued after the retreat as signed by the Chairman, Benue State Local Government Service, Hon James Ivever and the Group Managing Director of Genji Consult, Hon Salem Atsehe, said the participants acknowledge with delight the ongoing screening of the 2011 delisted staff of the Local Government Service in readiness for reinstatement and expressed inestimable gratitude to the governor for recognising the retreat.
The participants lauded the Chairman, Local Government Commission, Hon James Ivever for his visionary leadership aimed at repositioning the service.
Participants at the retreat also stressed the need to beef up staff strength in the local government areas and called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to approve massive employment to fill existing vacancies in the Local Government service.
According to the communique, they appreciated Governor Alia for the efforts to address the spate of insecurity and called on all stakeholders to collaborate with the state and federal governments in overcoming the menace.
Participants also called on the State Government to take proactive measures to preserve the forests which, they noted were being encroached at by presumed directives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Security.
Members further called for constitutional amendment in respect of the Local Government System.
They stressed the need to harmonise relationship between the political class and the bureaucracy for appropriate directions and due compliance, sued for sustained training and retraining of the local government staff in the respective ways to enhance effective service delivery even as they appealed for the timely processing and offer of promotions.
Participants further appreciated the Group Managing Director of Genji Consult, Hon. Salem Atsehe for the coordination; the resource persons for the down-to-earth and effective presentations; which, according to them contributed to the success of the retreat.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Hon James Ivever said the theme for the retreat “strategic system appraisal for competence in the local government councils of Benue State” was timely, relevant and compelling especially at a moment when the collective determination to reposition the local government system was stronger and more urgent than ever.
Mr Ivever acknowledged that, Local Government remains most critical in shaping public perception of governance and service delivery which must rebuild trust, accelerate development and improve the quality of grassroots administration noting that, the retreat provided an opportunity for sober reflection, honest self-assessment and strategic re-engineering of the system.
He commended the staff for their exemplary conduct through out the retreat saying the commission remain poised to change the narratives of revenue generation in the State.
According to him, the reforms are as a result of the conducive atmosphere the governor has created and expressed faith that it will be sustained.
He however accused local government chairmen for sabotaging efforts to revenue generation and urged heads of departments to stick to the rules to ensure the right thing is done.
Senior management Consultant of Genji Consults Mr Salem Atsehe who louded the pragmatic efforts of Governor Alia in turning around the state in all facets particularly commended the Governor and chairman, Local Government Service Commission Mr Ivever for prioritizing staff trainings and urged participants to step down knowledge gained for effective service delivery at their work places.
