Benue Govt approves ₦2.9bn allowances, moves to strengthen education, others

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has rolled out major policy actions aimed at stabilising the education sector, strengthening agricultural administration, and accelerating infrastructural development across the state.

Briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr. Peter Egbodo, announced the approval of over ₦2.9 billion for the payment of outstanding allowances owed staff of the Father Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, and the College of Health Sciences.

He said the intervention followed recent agitations that threatened academic activities, noting that a committee led by the Secretary to the State Government had engaged stakeholders to harmonise claims and avert industrial action.

“This reflects government’s commitment to promoting education as a vital tool for social development and ensuring our children do not suffer unnecessarily,” he said.

Dr. Egbodo also disclosed that the Benue State House of Assembly has passed, and the Governor has assented to, a bill merging the Bureau for Quality Assurance with the Education Board. According to him, the merger is expected to improve coordination, enhance efficiency, and strengthen service delivery across the education sector.

On the recently approved loan request, the Commissioner clarified that since the current administration assumed office, it had not accessed any foreign or local loans until the most recent one endorsed by the Assembly. He explained that the facility would be used strictly for ongoing infrastructural projects, with payments made directly to contractors by the bank after due verification of completed work.

“This ensures judicious use of funds and aligns with our development priorities,” he stated.

Dr. Egbodo confirmed that the government is reviewing a white paper on the Bureau of Agricultural Mechanization due to discrepancies detected during implementation. The review, he said, is aimed at correcting errors, verifying genuine contractors, and ensuring accurate payments for agricultural inputs supplied.

Responding to concerns over the distribution of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yelewata and other areas, the Commissioner said a committee comprising traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and IDP representatives is currently identifying priority needs.

He assured that strict monitoring mechanisms had been instituted to prevent misappropriation and ensure transparency.

“Government remains committed to returning displaced persons to their homes and restoring their livelihoods,” he added.

Dr. Egbodo urged the public to disregard allegations targeted at discrediting the administration, stressing that every action taken has been in the best interest of Benue citizens.

“At the end of the day, when the impact of these interventions becomes evident, it will be clear that claims by detractors were unfounded. The government is working tirelessly to uplift the lives of its people,” he said.

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