By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state has created a Bureau for Solid Minerals in the state and also made new appointments into selected government agencies.

The new Bureau is coming nine months into the embargo placed on mining activities in the state by the administration.

The Governor in a statement issued Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula disclosed that the new Bureau which was carved out of the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals would be headed by Mr. Stephen Utah, who hitherto was a Principal Special Assistant (PSA) to the Governor on Solid Minerals. He is to serve as Executive Secretary at the Bureau.

Others appointed were Prof. Daniel Amine who now heads the Benue Geographical Information System (BENGIS) as Director General. While Mrs. Afaityo Rebecca was appointed as General Manager of the Community and Social Development Agency.

The Governor also appointed Michael Uper as Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board and Dr. Erdoo Mongol was appointed to head  the Benue State Geo-Mining Company Nigeria Limited as Managing Director/CEO while Surveyor Tsokar Terfa was appointed Technical Advisor to the Governor on Land matters.

The Governor in the statement emphasised that he believed “the appointees will bring their wealth of experience, skills and their recognized competences to their new roles in adding value to the development of the state in their respective sectors of responsibility.”

He also urged them to prioritize the interests of Benue State in all their official engagements, as encapsulated in the administration’s vision and mission.