Benue State and London Borough of Barking & Dagenham plan exchange programme

GOVERNOR Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has commenced negotiations with the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham with a view to establishing an exchange programme that will facilitate the training of local government chairmen and councillors.

Currently visiting the UK, Governor Alia graced the occasion of the 2024 Tiv Day on Saturday September 14, alongside the paramount traditional ruler the Tor Tiv. After the event, the governor then set about building relationships in the UK that would help attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Benue State as well as help train his civil servants, local government chairmen, councillors and lawmakers.

Yesterday, on Monday September 16, Governor Alia visited the offices of the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham at the invitation of Councillor Moin Quadri, the mayor. During the visit, he met with local councillors, five of who were Nigerian, including former mayor Councillor Sade Bright.

While in Barking, Governor Alia said he is hoping that the visit will lead to the establishment of an exchange programme between the council and Benue State. This will result in Benue State civil servants, local councillors and local government chairmen and council staff travelling to learn from each other.

Hon Solomon Wombo, the member of the Federal House of Representatives  representing the Katsina Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency, who accompanied the governor on the visit, said the programme will benefit the state immensely. He added: "He is looking at a training programme  for local government chairmen and their councillors, which will expose our people to effective and result oriented local government administration."

Governor Alia also expressed his desire to see more FDI from the UK come into Benue State and help with the provision of services as is the case in Barking & Dagenham. He pointed out that his ultimate goal was to see Benue State develop into an industrialised region where services like education, healthcare, roads, housing, etc are all available as they are in Barking & Dagenham.

Councillor Quadri responded by saying that he is delighted that the governor chose to partner with Barking & Dagenham of all the boroughs in London. He pointed out that the borough is a mini United Nations as it reflects the ethnic diversity of the UK, so it is only appropriate that it become the one Benue State chose to work with.