Ortom Suspends Commissioner Over Murder Case

By Dipo Olowookere

Benue State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr Sekav Dzua Iyortyom, has been suspended by the state executive council for three months, following murder charges preferred against him.

According to the state’s Information and Orientation Commissioner, Mr Odeh Ageh, the Governor, Mr Samuel Ortom, who chaired the meeting, also suspended the Sole Administrator of Buruku local government area, Mr David Yiman, for the same period on similar charges.

He said the decision of the council would be communicated to the State House of Assembly which will also be requested to approve an acting Sole Administrator for Buruku local government area.

The Commissioner stated that the council took the decision in line with the policy of the Mr Ortom administration to comply with the rule of law and due process adding that if at the end of three months the matter was resolved or not council would review its decision.

According to Mr Ageh, the decision was also taken in consonance with the precedence set in the removal or suspension of indicted, arraigned or convicted executive council members and top government officials in compliance with the core values of the administration which include justice, fairness, and integrity.

He said council also approved award of contracts for the construction of four major roads in the state at the total cost of N21. 5billion.

He listed the 52- kilometre Yogbo-Udei-Udei Branch road awarded to Ms C.G.C Nigeria Limited at the cost of N6. 5 billion, 55 kilometre Ikyov-Utange-Mbagwaza-Mbagba-Lessel road with a spur at Hiiton road awarded to Ms Enerco Nigeria Limited at the cost of N5.9 billion.

Others, Mr Ageh said, are the over 40- kilometre Obagaji-Okokolo-Abian-Agagbe road, awarded to Ms Rockbridge Construction Company at the cost of N5.5 billion as well as the 21 kilometre Otukpo Icho

Odutajie-Aondona road awarded to C.G.C Nigeria Limited at the cost of N2.6 billion.

The Information Commissioner stated that the construction would span several years adding that the exchange rate also affected the cost of the contracts.