News Editor
From Dooshima Makurdi
The Benue state government has debunked recent reports that the debt profile of Benue State climbed from ₦122.5 billion to ₦187.5 billion from September to December 2024.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Tersoo Kula, who stated this in a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday, said the report was simply false.
Kula described the narrative as a fallacy concocted by “our bitter exiles who seek to mislead the public and undermine the progress of our administration.”
He stated that they are adversaries of Benue State who are bent on tarnishing the image of the performing state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
According to him, “their aim is to paint a distorted picture of his leadership before the public and national authorities” noting that like in the past “this attempt too has backfired spectacularly.”
Kula recalled that the immediate past Governor, Samuel Ortom, openly acknowledged a debt burden of ₦187.5 billion.
“This fact was widely reported and stands in stark contrast to the claims being made now. The question arises how did these detractors derive their figure of a ₦65 billion increase in debt, from ₦122.5billion to ₦187.5 billion?”
Kula informed that since coming into power over one year and eight months, the Alia led administration has not borrowed any money or raised a bond from any bank or financial institution.
“It is disheartening to witness the erosion of journalistic integrity in our country, but we urge our journalists and media houses to adhere to the ethical standards of their profession by verifying facts before publication.
He said Governor Alia’s administration remains committed to transparency and accountability in governance and will not be distracted by the “malicious fabrications of cynical malcontents who wish to see our state falter.”
