Governor Hyacinth Alia’s aide has defended the use of N513 billion allocated to Benue State, amidst allegations of mismanagement.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Governor argued that the impressive rating of Benue State on the transparency index speaks volumes about the judicious use of the state’s resources since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.
This came after a coalition of concerned citizens and accountability advocacy groups alleged that there is no tangible infrastructure on the ground to justify the statutory allocation of N513 billion to Benue State since last year.
However, Governor Hyacinth Alia, while faulting the allegations, argued that the impressive rating of Benue State on the transparency index speaks volumes about the judicious use of the state’s resources since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.
In a statement jointly signed by Dennis Agema, the President of Network For Transparent Governance (NTG), and Oliver Omenka, the Secretary-General, the coalition accused Governor Alia of falling short of transparency and accountability in the usage of the money.
The coalition claimed that it was privy to information that, since the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, Benue State has experienced an astronomical increase in federal allocations, soaring from an average of N3.5 billion to between N11 billion and N12 billion monthly.
The groups added that government allocations have also risen, with a minimum of N9.7 billion now disbursed each month, resulting in over N346 billion flowing into state accounts in just a year and a half.
The coalition accused the Governor of failing to deliver on his campaign promises to clear the arrears of salaries, pensions, and gratuities within his first 100 days in office and to return the internally displaced people to their ancestral homelands within the first 100 days of his administration.
The coalition further expressed concern that the Governor’s administration has sought additional loans, including N34.69 billion in August 2024, despite the considerable federal allocations received. The decision raises serious concerns about fiscal responsibility and governance in the state.
The coalition added that the total loans accumulated under Governor Alia’s leadership have reached an astonishing N167.69 billion in just one year, thereby increasing the state’s debt profile.
It lamented further that Governor Alia is running a one-man government anchored on zero transparency and accountability as he awards contracts unilaterally and does not recourse to either the State Executive Council or the State House of Assembly.
It alleged, “All the few roads and other countable projects he has done, there was no due process and no bidding was advertised. Yet, the State Assembly members watch and say nothing.”
The coalition insisted that the people of Benue State deserve to know how their tax money and federal allocations are being utilised and called for a comprehensive report detailing expenditures and the impact of these monumental resources.
In response, Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, pointed to various developmental projects across the state to justify the use of funds. He also highlighted the state’s improved transparency rating, which has risen to 9th position in 2024 League of Transparency index.
He said, “Sometimes, I feel reluctant to patronise these faceless antagonists masquerading as anti-corruption crusaders. Where were they when the accountability briefing was done? Where were they when the assembly summoned MDAs for budget performance scrutiny?”
“Above all, you are here as a correspondent. Can you say for yourself that you have not witnessed massive projects going on across the state? Can you say there are no reforms in all major sectors of the state? Can you say the living and working conditions of the workforce have positively changed?”
“How about the boost in healthcare delivery with the BSUTH becoming a tourist centre? When people say nothing is happening, and you are daily plying the streets that are constructed with clear-cut drainages that curtailed flooding of the town, especially the annual flooding of Wurukum market, what do you have to say? I can go on and on.”
“Those who are genuine in assessing our progress vis-à-vis funds accruing to the state and its usage have rated the state 9th on the 2024 league of Transparency index. We came in and met Benue consistently occupying position 36 out of 36.”
