Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has reviewed downwards the 2020 budget from N195 billion to N119 billion to meet the current realities that indicate impending recession occasioned by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

He diclosed the decision to newsmen yesterday, after a joint meeting of the State Executive Council and Action Committee on COVID-19.

According to the governor, speculations were that the looming 2020 recession would be at 3.4 per cent higher than the 1.5 per cent experienced in 2016 stressing that the effect would be harsher.

He said as part of the measures to mitigate the effect of the recession, people of the state were urged to embark on massive farming for sufficient food production.

The governor explained that in view of the above, the state government decided to set up a strategic agricultural committee – chaired by himself with his deputy as alternate chairman – to work on modalities to mobilise people to embark on massive farming.

He noted that the committee would also include members of the House of Assembly and other specialists in the agriculture sector.

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Meanwhile the governor also disclosed  that the 23 persons who came in contact with the index case in Benue had been isolated and released after 14 days since test carried out on them came out negative.

He further confirmed that the state has been benefiting from the Federal Government’s palliative for the COVID-19 adding that apart from cash transfer, the Federal Government was still providing food under the school feeding programme as soon, beneficiaries would have the food at their doorsteps.