 |
| Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State |
By Oluchi Omai
Makurdi - Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has formally presented a ₦605.6 billion appropriation bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Benue State House of Assembly.
The proposal, unveiled on Monday, outlines the administration’s spending priorities for the coming year and emphasises a renewed focus on rural development, livelihood support and sustained economic growth.
Governor Alia reported that the 2025 budget, which was set at ₦550 billion, recorded a performance rate of 73.2 per cent by November, equivalent to ₦402.69 billion in actual expenditure.
Under the new 2026 plan, ₦342.42 billion has been earmarked for capital expenditure, reflecting investment in infrastructure and development projects, while ₦281.09 billion is proposed for recurrent costs, including the running of government services.
The governor dubbed the budget the “Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth” and highlighted that 3.68 per cent of the capital allocation would be directed towards social protection initiatives. These measures are intended to assist elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable households across the state.
Governor Alia further stated that his administration aims to reach at least 1,000 beneficiaries in each of Benue’s 276 wards through these targeted interventions, with an overarching goal of reducing unemployment.
Reflecting on the state’s financial footing since assuming office in 2023, he noted that his government inherited a debt burden of ₦359.6 billion and has since reduced it by ₦68.9 billion.
However, the governor cautioned that the implementation of the 2026 budget could face challenges, signalling the need for prudent fiscal management and collaboration with stakeholders to achieve the administration’s objectives.
Source: Punch
0 Comments