December 12, (THEWILL) – Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has presented the 2025 budget estimate of N550,112,988, 930.45 billion to the Benue State House of assembly for scrutiny and passage.
Christened the “Budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security, and Digital Economy”, Governor Alia while addressing members on Wednesday, said the proposed budget which is designed to ensure continued progress, prosperity, and well-being for all citizens of the state, has an aggregate expenditure of N550,112,988,930.45.
He said the 2025 budget will serve as a roadmap to a brighter, more sustainable future, with a bold and ambitious plan, grounded in the realities of the present times and in the aspirations of the people.
In the budget, infrastructure development is top priority with a budgeted sum of N110,022,597,786.09, representing 20%, followed by agriculture which has a proposed budget of N84,081,754,982.67 representing 15.28%, while Education and the Health sectors each have a budget of N82,516,948,339.57, representing 15%.
While addressing the other areas captured in the budget, the governor added that 0.93% of the budget will address programs aimed at improving social protection, such as unemployment benefits, housing, and poverty alleviation initiatives, while also evolving strategies for the three IDP pathways.
“In an effort to leave no one behind, Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we have allocated 0.93% of the budget for programs aimed at improving social protection, which includes unemployment benefits, housing, and poverty alleviation initiatives, while also evolving strategies for the three IDP pathways: Resettlement, Relocation, and Returnees.
“Furthermore, sports, youth development and creativity being an integral part of our development efforts will be funded from 0.93% of the total budget. In essence, this budget proposes to increase funding for facilities that support sports development and local talent hunt in the state. It is also the intent of the budget to empower small businesses and startups to thrive.”
According to the budget estimate, in 2025, government will implement programs to provide financial support, training, and mentorship to entrepreneurs, particularly in tech-driven industries. Votes amounting to 10.68% of the budget are allocated for this purpose. The governor explained.
On the development challenges and progress made so far, governor Alia said the negative implications associated with an unpaid workforce, has been stabilised, with the 70,000 minimum wage also fully implemented, adding that there is massive ongoing infrastructure rehabilitations, as well as an improved security in the state.
According to the Governor, through the Bureau of International Cooperation and Development, the state has enjoyed substantial grants totalling N85,017,621,111.11, with 46 slots for Benue sons and daughters, on the UNITED Nations Volunteer Fully Funded Scholarship Program.
He explained that due to the adjustments that were made in the 2024 budget, the overall budget amount for 2024 came to an aggregate sum of N373,020,567,319, which he said represent a 65.3% increase over the original 2024 Budget, primarily due to built-in buffers, enabling the state to absorb shocks arising from macroeconomic uncertainties.
Governor Alia assured that in order to ensure fiscal transparency, and fiscal strengthening in the state and local government system, the 2025 budget will be coordinated by the Budget and Economic Planning Commission, under his watch.
Reacting to the presentation, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Chief Hyacinth Aondoana Dajoh, said governor Alia has demostrated uncommon zeal to deliver on the blueprint of the All progressives Congress.
The Speaker, also called on the governor to expidize action on the ongoing renovation work on the assembly complex to enable members to be comfortable to proper legislative duty.
He promised to ensure adequate scrutiny of the budget estimate for passage for the good of the state.
