I haven’t got a loan since I became governor – Alia

One after taking over as Benue State governor, Father Hyacinth Alia has disclosed that his administration has not got a loan, stating that he was disclosing this for record purposes.

Speaking on the Democracy Day at IBB Square on May 29, 2024 in Makurdi, the governor said, he could do that only if it became necessary, insisting that “for now, prudence in governance must know us and call us by name.”

Governor Alia assured the people of Benue that he was committed to building formidable systems and alliances of institutions based on equity and fairness, accountability, democratic ethos, and justice systems that are bigger and stronger than individuals.

He admitted stepping on toes of selfish individuals in the interest of bringing good governance to the people of Benue which he has not earned anything close to love in the last one year, adding that he has no regrets.

“As a government of popular consent, I am mindful of the honour and trust bestowed on me. For this, I have pushed sleep and comfort to the backseat to ensure that I live up to the expectations and terms of our social contract.”

Giving an account of his stewardship last year, the governor said, “It is no longer news that improved staff welfare, prompt payment of salaries and pensions/gratuities, as well as arrears, is now a mainstay under my watch. And so shall it continue to be.”

“Benue under my watch, has also weeded out thousands of ghost workers, ghost schools, and ghost agencies from our payroll. We have cut off all leakages and conduits of inefficient money-consuming channels obtainable in the past,” he added.

He said as proof of their zeal towards rewriting the narrative of the education sector in Benue, they allocated 15 percent of the 2024 budget to education, surpassing even the percent at the federal level, adding that they have also trained over 150 headteachers and distributed over 100,000 instructional materials across public schools in the state to enhance teaching and learning.

“For instance, as part of palliatives for the removal of fuel subsidy, our administration decided to pay for the 2023/2024 examination fees of all students in government-approved public secondary schools in the state sitting for the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations, respectively.

“At the Benue State University, we have expanded academic programmes, established new faculties, restored scholarships for medical students, and paid outstanding salary arrears. We have upgraded the ICT facilities, preparing over 10,000 youths for the global market. The idea is to train over 60,000 youths,” he said.

He vowed to rewrite the State’s socio-economic narrative, while he sought for the cooperation of citizens in order to put Benue on the world map.