The Chairman of Tarka Local Government Area (LGA), Raphael Yenge, has said the LG under his watch recorded major interventions in electricity, rural roads, healthcare, education, youth empowerment and other critical sectors.

Mr Yenge spoke during an interview on Tuesday in Wannune, the headquarters of Tarka LGA.

The chairman said that the projects were aimed at improving the welfare of residents and accelerating development across the local government.

He stressed that the major highlight of the administration’s interventions was the installation of a 500KVA transformer at Zongo and the repair of existing transformers and restored electricity to communities that had remained in darkness for years.

Mr Yenge also said that he embarked on rural electrification projects in Pipeline community, Aso and Cherrywood while the installation of another transformer at Tse Agbuku in Mbaikyaa Council Ward was nearing completion.

He said, “Beyond electricity, the council has prioritised rural infrastructure, including the construction of the Ukyough Bridge under the RAAM-BN Programme and the grading of the Nyambe–Ukyough rural road linking Tarka with Guma local governments.

“In the health sector, the administration has taken steps to strengthen access to healthcare through the resuscitation and upgrading of the Ijorimenger Special Primary Health Care Centre (SPHC), which has facilitated the institutionalisation of a Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) Annex in Tarka.

“The council has also rehabilitated 22 boreholes across the wards to improve access to clean water, while a solar-powered borehole and two electric-motorised boreholes have been provided at Nyambee and Aboho, respectively.”

The chairman noted that the council was training more than 400 youths in skills acquisition programmes.

He added that the programmes covered various trades and vocations designed to improve their employability and economic independence.

He said scholarships had been awarded to 120 students across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, while 10,000 exercise books distributed to pupils and students across Tarka.

Mr Yenge stated that his administration sponsored free registration for the 2026 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination for 400 Tarka indigenes.

The chairman added that he renovated the chairman’s office to modern standards, and the chairman’s quarters were also renovated.

He said that transportation and operational capacity had also received attention, with the council repairing its three buses, the ambulance, legislative bus and sports bus as well as two tractors.

“The council has additionally provided electric bikes for the 10 councillors and the Ijorimenger SPHC/BSUTH annex to facilitate movement and quick service delivery.

“Other interventions include the renovation of toilets at Wannune market square and the construction of a badminton pitch at the chairman’s quarters.

“The administration has also provided a secretariat for the Tarka chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.

(NAN)