Governor Hyacinth Alia has restated his commitment towards building formidable systems and institutions that will bring about more development in Benue state.
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The Governor stated this while addressing a large crowd of Benue people who thronged the IBB Square Makurdi, to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration, on Wednesday, June 12th, 2024.
Governor Alia, who used the occasion to list his achievements in office in the last one year, said he was mindful of the honour and trust bestowed on him by the majority of the Benue people, and as such, he has pushed his comfort aside to ensure that he lives up to the expectations and terms of the social contract he has in place with the people of the state.
He appreciated all members of his team for their sacrifices in the quest for a better Benue; and the entire people of the state for their support and belief in his administration.
Highlighting his achievements in the last one year, Governor Alia said his government has been able to touch most of the areas as encapsulated in the 7-point agenda of his administration, ranging from infrastructural development, improved agricultural production, prompt payment of salaries, pensions/gratuities, economic growth amongst others.
On infrastructural development, the Governor said, his administration awarded 51 road projects within just one year, including three underpass projects in Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo Local Government Areas, respectively, adding that his government has also renovated and furnished the State Secretariat, reconstructed the Benue State House of Assembly Complex, and remodeled the Assembly Clinic, amongst others.
In the area healthcare delivery, Governor Alia said the Benue State University Teaching Hospital has been overhauled by his administration to meet international standards, employing 500 new staff on merit, to augment the workforce, mentioning further the reintroduction of the Bond Scheme for medical students of Benue origin studying medicine as well as the commencement of free clinical services at the Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital, Makurdi, to reduce maternal mortality.
Speaking on his achievements in the Agricultural sector, the Governor said, “Upon assumption of office, we met Benue in an economic ditch. We immediately hit the ground running by engendering economic growth through agriculture. Accordingly, we procured100 trucks of fertilizer which were distributed to farmers at subsidized rates. The impact so far has been tremendous. Beyond provision of fertilizers, we also approved counterpart funding for International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD’s) Value Chain Development Programme in eight local government areas, with a view to enhancing rice and cassava production.”
He said his administration has equally handed over 33 new tractors and the sum of 380 Million Naira to community interest groups across the state, to undertake climate-smart agricultural activities under the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) scheme of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), saying plans are also in top gear towards dredging the River Benue, to boost agricultural activities and enhance easy movement of agricultural products.
In the educational sector, the Governor said, apart from the registration of WAEC, NECO and NABTEB examinations for the year 2024 for students in government approved schools, his administration has also established the Benue State Education Quality Assurance Agency (BEQA), and it has been effective in its responsibility of daily monitoring, evaluating and improving the standard of all schools around the state.
Speaking on the economy and wealth creation during the last one year, Governor Alia said his government is tackling illegal mining and educating communities on the legal benefits. He revealed further revitalization of government assets such as the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Benue Links Transport Company LTD, adding that plans are in place to re-establish and resuscitate the state owned industries, including Benue Breweries, Taraku Oil Mills, aimed at creating more job opportunities for the teeming youths, as well as improving the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
In the area of security, governor Alia stated that his administration’s most prioritized mission is to ensure those displaced by marauders return safely to their ancestral homes, adding that already, his government has initiated the process by lobbying the Federal Government to begin the construction of resettlement homes for the people, intimating further that collaboration with security agencies and relevant stakeholders is also in place to ensure that Benue is a safe haven for all.
Earlier in the day, the Governor, supported by his deputy, Members of the State Executive Council as well as other esteemed citizens of the state, participated in the 2024 Democracy Solidarity Walk, from the gate of the Benue State Government House, Makurdi, to the IBB Square.
The solidarity walk was put together by the National Democracy Stakeholders Group (NDSG), to celebrate the spirit of democracy and reflect on its enduring importance.