Tarka Council Records Major Development Projects Under Yenge
By Our Reporter In Makurdi
The Chairman of Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, Mr Raphael Yenge, has disclosed that his administration has implemented major interventions in electricity, rural roads, healthcare, education, youth empowerment and other critical sectors.
Yenge made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Wannune, headquarters of Tarka Local Government Area.
According to him, the interventions were designed to improve the welfare of residents and accelerate socio-economic development across the council.
He identified the installation of a 500KVA transformer at Zongo and the repair of existing transformers as some of the major achievements of his administration, noting that the efforts had restored electricity to communities that had remained without power for several years.
The chairman also disclosed that rural electrification projects were ongoing in Pipeline, Aso and Cherrywood communities, while the installation of another transformer at Tse Agbuku in Mbaikyaa Council Ward was nearing completion.
Yenge said the council had also prioritised rural infrastructure through the construction of the Ukyough Bridge under the RAAM-BN Programme and the grading of the Nyambe-Ukyough rural road linking Tarka and Guma Local Government Areas.
Healthcare, Water Supply Receive Attention
In the health sector, the chairman said his administration had resuscitated and upgraded the Ijorimenger Special Primary Health Care Centre (SPHC), an intervention which, according to him, facilitated the establishment of a Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) Annex in Tarka.
He added that the council had rehabilitated 22 boreholes across its wards to improve access to clean water.
He said additional water projects included a solar-powered borehole at Nyambee and two electric-motorised boreholes at Aboho.
Over 400 Youths to Benefit From Skills Training
On youth empowerment, Yenge disclosed that more than 400 youths were undergoing skills acquisition programmes covering various trades and vocational areas.
He said the initiative was aimed at enhancing their employability, economic independence and capacity to contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
120 Students Receive Scholarships
The chairman further disclosed that his administration had awarded scholarships to 120 students across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
He added that 10,000 exercise books had been distributed to pupils and students across the local government.
Yenge also revealed that the council sponsored free registration for the 2026 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination for 400 Tarka indigenes.
Council Facilities, Transport Infrastructure Upgraded.
According to him, the chairman’s office and official residence have been renovated and upgraded to modern standards.
He said the council had also repaired its three buses, ambulance, legislative bus, sports bus and two tractors to improve transportation and operational capacity.
Yenge added that electric bikes had been provided for the 10 councillors and the Ijorimenger SPHC/BSUTH Annex to facilitate movement and enhance service delivery.
Other projects, he said, included the renovation of toilets at Wannune Market Square and the construction of a badminton pitch at the chairman’s quarters.
He also disclosed that the administration had provided a secretariat for the Tarka chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
