Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has directed the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals to hasten the process of issuance of Certificate of Occupancy to the Nigerian Air Force, Makurdi.
Governor Ortom gave the directive Monday, 24th January, 2022 at the Benue Peoples House when he received the new Air Officer Commanding, AOC, Tactical Air Command, TAC, Makurdi, Air Vice Marshall Abraham Adole.
While commending the Chief of Air Staff for posting a son of the soil to the State, Governor Ortom described the Nigerian Air Force as a critical component in the security architecture of the nation, saying they had always lived up to expectations.
The Governor called on people of the state to always support the security agencies in the state and appealed to communities living around the Air Force Base, Makurdi not to encroach on the land that was allocated to the NAF based on the terms of settlement.
He assured the AOC of government’s support stressing that, “it is our duty to inform the people and protect them from what they do not know.”
Earlier, AVM Adole informed the Governor that the aim of his visit was to inform him of his posting to the state.
According to him, “It is customary for the AOC to pay homage to the Governor whose domain is the headquarters of TAC, having assumed Command as the 42nd AOC.
“I also use this opportunity to convey the goodwill and best wishes of the Chief of Air Staff, CAS to His Excellency and the good people of Benue State.”
He disclosed that the TAC will support the state in compliance with its mandate, pointing out that his leadership will give top priority to emerging security challenges especially in synergizing with other security agencies for the protection of lives and property.
The AOC said his predecessor briefed him about how supportive Governor Ortom had been to the Command especially in the intervention in the land dispute between TAC and Ugondo Community.
AVM Adole appealed to the Governor to use his good office to prevail on the citizens to desist from encroaching into Nigeria Air Force NAF restricted land and temtones, Amour Dump 633 CAD and Airfield at Kwenev Community.
The AOC was a accompanied by top military officers including the Chief of Staff to the AOC, AVM PN Amadi and other senior officers of the command.
