By Deborah Adekaa.

The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State, Maurice Orwough, has donated 51 motorcycles to traditional rulers and kindred heads in the council area as part of efforts to improve grassroots security and enhance mobility.

Orwough, who presented the motorcycles on Tuesday, said the initiative was designed to enable community leaders to respond swiftly to security threats, emergencies and other challenges within their communities.

He said traditional rulers and kindred heads remained the closest link between government and rural communities, playing a vital role in disseminating government policies and communicating critical information to residents.

According to him, the beneficiaries had repeatedly raised concerns over inadequate means of transportation, which often hampered their ability to move around their communities, particularly during emergencies.

“Whenever we call on them, or whenever there is a crisis in the rural areas, they can move in quickly and help to contain the situation before the government can get there,” he said.

The chairman said the donation was part of his administration’s broader efforts to strengthen collaboration with traditional institutions and community leaders in tackling insecurity across the local government.

He disclosed that the council was also providing official vehicles to the 10 district heads, known as Tyoors, adding that six had already received theirs, while the remaining four were expected to receive their vehicles before the weekend or early the following week.

Orwough further announced plans to provide official vehicles for the council leader, secretary, supervisors and advisers, while councillors would receive motorcycles.

Beyond security and administrative support, the chairman said his administration had continued to assist residents through the payment of hospital bills and the provision of scholarships to students.

He added that political stakeholders in the local government had also received vehicles and motorcycles as part of his administration’s support for political activities.

Speaking on the security situation in Guma, Orwough described the council as one of the areas worst affected by insecurity in Benue State.

He attributed some of the security challenges to the council’s proximity to Keana, Awe and Doma Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, noting that the shared boundaries had heightened concerns among communities along the border.

According to him, some herders and criminal elements allegedly use routes through neighbouring communities in Nasarawa State to gain access to Benue and subsequently Guma.

He said the council had therefore intensified security cooperation with the chairmen and traditional rulers of the neighbouring local government areas.

“I have visited the chairman of Awe twice, the chairman of Keana three times and the chairman of Doma twice. I have also engaged their traditional rulers,” he said.

The chairman identified the Keana axis as a major security concern, assuring that the council would continue to engage relevant authorities and traditional institutions to address the situation.

He also disclosed that the administration had received security threats around the axis, particularly along routes linking New City through Giza to communities in Guma.

Orwough commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for giving him the opportunity and autonomy to serve the people of Guma, assuring residents that his administration would continue to strengthen community-level security structures and cooperation with neighbouring local governments.

Speaking at the event, Cletus Upav and John Enger commended Governor Alia and the council chairman for supporting traditional institutions and their efforts to address insecurity in the area.

Some of the beneficiaries, including Chief Joseph Asooga, Jukun Kindred Head of Abinse; Zaki Gideon Ukpahav, Nongo Kindred Head of Abinse; and Ortar Yanmanen Aza, Kindred Head of Mbakombo Sagher, all in Guma LGA, expressed appreciation to the chairman and the governor.

They said the motorcycles would significantly improve their mobility, facilitate faster communication with their subjects and strengthen their ability to respond to emergencies and security challenges within their communities.