News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
A group known by the name, Benue Advocacy Network (BAN), has called on the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to address the people of the State regarding governance, transparency, and security in the last two years.
BAN President, Mr Enoch Ortese made this call in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday.
Ortese said having observed the developments over the past two years of Governor Alia’s administration, they would want a transparent response to the issues outlined below, which he said are critical to restoring public trust and ensuring the welfare of the people.
Ortese said Governor Alia should give explanations on financial receipts and expenditures of the state, explain the projects he has awarded and those commissioned away well as cost of infrastructure projects, tell the people about security situation in the state and and explain how he has been disbursing security funds.
He also said the people want to know how he has managed Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and his plans to resettle them, the state of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law and herdsmen activities, payment of arrears of salaries and pensions, local governments autonomy among other issues.
“We challenge Governor Alia to transparently publish the monthly allocations received from the federation’s account, including the Federal Allocation from FAAC and internally generated revenue (IGR), from May 2023 to date. Such disclosures are essential for accountability and for the people to understand how public funds are being managed.
“There is an urgent need for the governor to detail how Benue’s funds are being expended. This includes providing a comprehensive breakdown of the state’s wage bill, especially after claims of removing “ghost workers” from the payroll. The people deserve to know the actual number of workers, their salaries, and the total amount being paid.”
BAN wondered why Governor Alia who is in his third year in office has not commissioned a single project despite receiving huge allocations from the federation’s account following subsidy removal.
They observed that “Other governors who are also in their first term have been commissioning numerous projects and inviting the President to perform the project commissioning.
“We demand the publication of details concerning all contracts awarded by the state government, including the contract sums, names of contractors, and contractual terms.
“The ongoing construction of underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko has spanned more than two years. We call on Governor Alia to publish the actual costs of these projects, along with the scope and contractors involved, to assure the people that funds are being judiciously spent.
“There are reports that the governor takes a monthly security vote of N3.5 billion. We urge the governor to account for how these funds have been utilized to enhance security and protect lives.
“Additionally, he should provide an update on the security situation in the state, especially in light of sustained attacks and the whereabouts of the vehicles displayed during the launch of the “Anyam Nyor” security outfit, which remain unseen in any part of the state.”
He urged Governor Alia to respond to these issues promptly and openly as failure to do so will only deepen public distrust and undermine the progress of the state.
