Godwin Ityoachimin, a former Benue governorship aspirant on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, has canvassed for urgent urban renewal of major cities in the state to attract investments.

Mr Ityoachimin, while addressing reporters on Sunday in Abuja, said the state government’s inability to engage in sustainable infrastructural development had left the state unattractive to the private sector.

“The direct interpretation of these cities’ imagery conveys squalor, filthiness, poverty and decay,” Mr Ityoachimin said.

He said it was disheartening to see how the state government had ignored the priority of upgrading the infrastructural development of the state capital- Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo, among others.

“In fact, the entire state needs urban regeneration and firm administration of land allocation and titles. This will help to attract private participation in the physical development of the state.

“This is just one aspect of the many development drives required to position the state for investment inflows and growth.

“The other key ones include intervention in agriculture, education, skill acquisition and political inclusiveness,’’ Mr Ityoachimin said.

Mr Ityoachimin, preparing to contest the governorship election in 2027, said the state would soon mark its golden jubilee with nothing to show for it.

“By February 2026, the state will be marking its golden jubilee and what you see does not reflect what should be. Should the people wait for eternity to taste a good life? The answer is no,” the aspirant said.

According to him, the state has long abandoned an effective and efficient turnaround of all profitable value chains in the agric sector.

He explained that a proper agri-business oriented mechanised farming practice must be introduced to fully maximise the state’s comparative advantage.

“This requires the state government to buy off farm produce from the farmers and sell it to industries through boards so that farmers will not lose.

“This will lead to the springing up of cottage processing industries and mechanised across all communities in the state,” he said.

He also said education in the state required urgent intervention, adding that while other progressive states aligned more with science education, Benue continued promoting philosophy, sociology, and anthropology.

Mr Ityoachimin said such courses do not support growth and development in the 21st century.

He stated that it was about time the state promoted science and technology education for transformation, adding that “our young people have the natural capacity to excel in anything they choose to do.”

The former governorship aspirant queried the government’s approach to promoting commerce, trade, and industry.

He said the absence of a Chamber of Commerce and a Free Trade Zone in Benue was worrisome.

“One can not really explain what has prevented the state from activating the federal government approval for the Makurdi Free Trade Zone. The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) is willing to guide the state through this process, but the willingness is not there,’’ he said.

He said the federal government must come to terms with the advantages of approving state police.

(NAN)