Palliatives: I’ve Received N2bn So Far, Benue Gov Clears The Air

• Governor Alia clarifies Benue’s receipt of N2B from the Federal Government’s N5B subsidy removal relief, and outlines diverse sector allocations
• Benue Governor Alia discloses N2B received, details N5B relief components, plans for education, agriculture, transport, and flood victims’ aid

Governor Hyacinth Alia has finally clarified the amount of money and other palliatives received by Benue State from the Federal Government to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on citizens.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state accused the governor of remaining silent on the N5 billion and food items sent by the federal government to each federation state.

Some government officials, including the acting Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, had previously told journalists in Makurdi, the state capital, that the federal government’s package had not yet arrived.

However, while kicking off the distribution of Federal Government relief materials to 2022 flood victims in the state on Tuesday, Alia announced that Benue had received N2 billion of the N5 billion promised by the federal government as palliatives for each state, noting that the balance was still in the works.

The governor explained that the N5 billion in palliatives was divided into two components: a N2.4 billion interest-free loan and a N2.6 billion grant.

He stated that his administration would ensure the funds were used wisely and that the transportation, food, agriculture, education, and human capital sectors would all benefit.

Alia said the state government would pay the registration fees for all students taking West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) exams in 2023/24.

He also revealed that 5,000 women would receive grants through their cooperatives, and 2,000 youths would be trained in six ICT programs.

The governor also stated that a portion of the funds would be used to pay one month’s pension to state and local government pensioners and that the government would provide 100 buses to the state-owned transport company, Benue Links, to help with transportation as well as lunch township shuttles in Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo towns.

Alia stated that the state government received five trucks of rice totalling 3,000 bags from the federal government and that each local government would receive 100 bags.