The Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, on November 25th, 2023, hosted the leadership and members of the Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ), Abuja in Government House, Makurdi.

During the gathering, Governor Alia meticulously highlighted an array of accomplishments achieved within his administration's tenure, spanning from May 29th to November, 2023.

The CBJ, comprising professional media practitioners of Benue origin, accorded Governor Alia the prestigious title of Grand Patron of the CBJ, and Award of Honour, affirming their recognition and support for his administration's efforts so far.

In a comprehensive rundown, Governor Alia outlined an impressive list of achievements across various sectors, indicating a transformative agenda aimed at revitalizing the state.

Some notable accomplishments he shared included:

1. Procurement of over 100 trucks of fertilizer and distribution to farmers at subsidized rates, fostering agricultural revolution and growth.

2. The reconstruction and modernization of the Benue State House of Assembly Complex with modern facilities

3. We have also initiated and completed the remodeling of the Benue State House of Assembly Clinic with state-of-the-art amenities to ensure quality healthcare for officials and staff.

4. Payment of salaries and pensions has been consistent on the 25th of every month, significantly improving the livelihoods of Benue people.

5. The prompt payment of gratuities at 100% upon retirement within 4 weeks is another milestone in this new administration.

6. Award of contracts and mobilisation of contractors to site for the construction of 16 strategic roads within Makurdi metropolis to be completed soon, which has extended to Gboko and other parts of Benue State. It is also our resolve to extend this to all major roads linking the 23 local government areas of the state. This is aimed at easing the movement of people, goods, and services to promote economic growth.

7. Water supply and sanitation facilities are also receiving attention in major towns across the state.

8. The “Light-up Makurdi” street light project is especially gaining momentum and enhancing urban infrastructure.

9. The process of ICT training 10,000 Benue youths by our government in collaboration with tech giants Google and Microsoft is ongoing. This is a calculated move to create local and global job opportunities for the teeming youths and to enable them to become self-reliant.

10. We have also initiated a continuous capacity development scheme for all civil servants in the state. The aim is to enhance productivity and optimal performance.

11. In a bid to boost entrepreneurship and alleviate poverty in the state, our administration has established the Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation Bureau, as well as the Benue State International Cooperation and Development Bureau.

12. Payment of examination fees for all students in government-approved public secondary schools in the state sitting for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations, respectively. This would also serve as a stimulant for creating a literate and proficient society, which ensures that our people are provided with opportunities for lifelong achievements.

13. Both the Government House and State Secretariat have been connected to the 33KVA to provide uninterrupted power supply for the first time ever.

14. Work is currently ongoing to connect Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, and the ICT Training Centres of 10,000 youths at Benue State University, Makurdi, to 33 kVA for constant electricity supply.

15. The opening of the Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital has boosted the health system in the state with the aim of reducing the maternal mortality rate and offering prompt and almost free services to women and children below the age of 5.

16. We were the first in Nigeria to implement the Revised Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) 2023 for resident doctors at the revised rate.

17. The reintroduction of the Medical Bond Scheme for medical students of the School of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, by approving monthly stipends of over N100,000 per student.

18. We have also approved the payment of N100,000 monthly allowances for each Doctor-Corps member serving in Benue State, as well as increasing the monthly allowances of all other corps members posted to our dear state by N15,000 monthly.

19. Procurement of 100 buses for Benue Links, the state-owned transport company, to improve services and relieve the burden of transportation on the good people of Benue. We have equally initiated branding and automation for the company to make room for online ticketing and other services.

20. We have begun a tour and on-the-spot assessment of all the state-owned industries, almost all of which are moribund. The revival of these industries, including the Taraku Oil Mills and the Wannune Tomato Processing Factory, among others, through the instrumentality of public-private partnerships (PPP), is our top priority. There is no denying the tremendous socio-economic impact that the revival of these industries would have on the people and the state in general.

21. We are also making a case for Benue to be considered for a 13% derivative given to states with mineral deposits from the Federation Account.

22. The commissioning of the computerised vehicle inspection centre in Northbank, Makurdi

23. We have successfully partnered with heads of security agencies on many occasions to find ways of fostering peace in the state.

24. There is also on-going rehabilitation work at the Benue State Secretariat.

25. Furthermore, my engagements with authorities in Abuja have led to the FG’s presence in the state, providing regular interventions through humanitarian services by donor organizations. They have been directed to deploy to Benue to help alleviate the suffering of IDPs and aid security operations.

26. The construction of cluster houses for the resettlement of IDPs is also underway in affected communities across the state.

27. On illegal structures and the citing of structures on waterways, we are ensuring we have a proper town planning framework to avoid floods and to beautify our state.

28. The State Government has begun a capacity-building initiative for civil servants in China to enhance productivity and service delivery in all sectors.

29. To guarantee proper scrutiny of government commitments, debts, and contracts, I have directed all MDAs to have units for that purpose.

30. We just commissioned the newly reconstructed Upper Area Court Otukpo in Otukpo LGA, which was furnished by the former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu.

31. In partnership with the Federal Government, I have equally flagged off “Operation Enduring Peace III," a military exercise by formations in the state to enhance unity and security.

32. We are also taking great strides towards repositioning the education sector, right from primary to tertiary level. To this end, we have set up visitation panels in all the state-owned tertiary institutions to assess and ascertain their status for necessary action.

33. We have also taken proactive steps towards preventing the spread of the anthrax virus by vaccinating animals in all the 23 local government areas of the state. We equally ensured that bio-security measures had been put in place to avert any future occurrence.

34. We have reactivated the Benue State Microfinance Bank, whose license was previously withdrawn by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

35. The Benue State University Teaching Hospital is currently undergoing structural and technical transformation for an optimal healthcare delivery system etc

“I can go on and on with some of the things we are doing within this short period of time in office.” he stated.

Governor Alia emphasized that despite inheriting a system in disarray, his administration had made remarkable progress without resorting to external borrowing.
“Let it be on record that we inherited a broken system, but we are gradually fixing it without borrowing a penny from anywhere.”

The CBJ's recognition of Governor Alia as their Grand Patron is a testimony of their confidence in his leadership and commitment to the state's development.

Governor Alia's dedication to steering Benue State toward economic growth and sustainability was evident throughout his address to the CBJ, where he reiterated his administration's unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of Benue people.

The strides made within this relatively short time in office reflect an ambitious vision for the development of the Food Basket of the Nation, with efforts focused on surmounting challenges and laying the foundation for enduring progress.

The Governor's resolve and accomplishments also signal a promising trajectory for Benue State, inspiring hope for a brighter and more prosperous future under his pragmatic leadership.

© Comrade Angula Bishop Reuben

A performing governor indeed ! We need more leaders like him in our dear country to pilot the affairs and fostering growth and development in the life of the masses. Kudos

Am yet to see a completed project here, especially roads. Benue is in a mess. Just hoping this priest will not disappoint his people..

I'm not very surprised that he isn't any different from the ones who couldn't find a "cassock" to deceive the gullible electorates.

Nigerians are easy to goodwill.

See him listing every project with the location ending at "Makurdi".

Is Markurdi the only city/LGA in the state?

The easiest way to dine and wine with the demon and stain your white shirt with palm oil soup is to join the ranks of Nigeria Politics.

Stopped reading at no 15
NO 15 did not make it for benue at all how could that be .

BigBlackPreek:
A performing governor indeed ! We need more leaders like him in our dear country to pilot the affairs and fostering growth and development in the life of the masses. Kudos

Una go just open mouth talk rubbish,no wonder this country is in ruins

He has never done anything in the state

I wonder why a Reverend father should be lieing like this

Hope my eyes are not deceiving me ? Please Benue residents should verify for us I don’t truest anything on paper anymore.