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Tag: Gov. Hyacinth Alia

  • Benue Govt. spends $2.82m to service loans in 1 year

    Benue Govt. spends $2.82m to service loans in 1 year

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue says his administration has spent $2.82 million (N4.53 billion) to service external loans between June 2023 and June 2024.

    Alia made the disclosure in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi.

    The governor said that Benue has not borrowed funds since the inception of his administration but paid the said sum to reduce the state’s debt burden.

    He further stated that the Debt Management Office (DMO) recent report confirmed that the external debt profile of Benue has experienced a sharp decrease within the period under review.

    “Recall that having inherited over 350 billion in debts from the previous administration, the administration has been cautious about taking loans, despite initiating numerous projects across the state, with many already completed.

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    “We are changing the narrative for good governance and massively delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

    “We are consistent in insisting that the future of the state comes first and has demonstrated the highest level of decision-making and resource management,” he said.

    He further stated that the current BudgIT release of the third quarter of 2024, States Fiscal Transparency League Table, indicated that Benue has moved to 9th position from the 35th and 36th positions it had consistently shuffled since 2015.

    (NAN) 

  • Independence: Alia solicits patience, more time

    Independence: Alia solicits patience, more time

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has appealed for patience, saying that most government policies take time to yield results and his administration would not fail the people.

    Alia made the appeal on Tuesday during a live broadcast in Makurdi to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day anniversary.

    The governor stated that his administration’s focused on the well-being of every Benue citizen.

    He also congratulated the people of the state and all Nigerians for their resilience and for living peacefully together.

    “As your governor, I am committed to your welfare and urge each of you, both in Benue and across Nigeria, to continue supporting the policies and programmes of the government.

    “These initiatives are designed to improve our collective welfare, though their impact may take time to fully manifest. Progress often requires patience, understanding, and the cooperation of every citizen.

    “I call on you to renew your hope in this government, as we are committed to the progress of our state,” he said.

    He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that what was due to workers and pensioners in the state was paid on time.

    Alia said with the continued support of everyone in the state, his administration was on course to build a Benue that was peaceful, prosperous, and served as a model of good governance in Nigeria.

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    According to him, his administration has aligned this year’s celebration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where the government has already made strides in areas such as poverty reduction, zero hunger, quality education, and decent work.

    “All these efforts aim to empower every citizen of the state, enabling them to become productive and contribute to the development of Benue,” he said.

    He also highlighted the massive infrastructural projects in the state that were connecting communities for improved living standards and economic activities.

    On the October 5th Local Government Council elections in the state, he urged Benue people to come out and vote for APC candidates for progress, development, and continued good governance under the APC-led government.

    “The collective future of our villages depends on the choices we make on that day, as local governments are closest to the people.

    “The opposition parties have had their time, and we all know the path they led us down: a path of underdevelopment, massive corruption, stagnation, and setbacks.

    “But today, we stand on the threshold of progress, and we must not allow any backward steps. Let us vote for progress, development, and continued good governance under the APC banner,” he said.

    (NAN)