August 23, (THEWILL) – Benue State governor, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia, has rolled out plans for the disbursement of the N5 billion given by the federal government, to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on the citizens.
The governor, who made the disclosure on Tuesday, during the flag off of distribution of relief materials to victims of 2022 flood in Makurdi, explained that already, N2 billion has been credited to Benue Treasury, while outstanding balance of N3 billion is now been awaited.
He said the State Government will use the funds to among others, register WAEC and NECO examinations for graduating students in all government approved secondary schools in the state for the 2023/2024 academic year.
Also, to provide intensive computer and ICT training for 2,000 youth of the state to enable them acquire jobs within and outside the state, as well as provide grants to 5,000 women in the state based on revised social register of the women cooperatives.
“Government will purchase one hundred new buses for the state owned transport company (Benue Links) to provide services to the people of the state at a subsidize rate.
Provide shuttle buses in the three major towns of Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo to ease movement within the towns.”
According to governor Alia, part of the funds will be used to pay one month pension arrears to state and local government retirees, and provide food items like rice in large quantity to each of the 23 Local Government Areas in the state.
Governor Alia, who expressed the hope that the remaining part of the money will be released to state government coffers soon, called on the people to be patient, as the government will soon start implementing the listed plans.
It will be recalled that the State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party had earlier in the day, raised an alarm over the silience of Benue State Government over receipt of palliative money as announced by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Bemgba Iortyom, commended president Tinubu for the gesture and charged the governor Hyacinth Alia administration to show transparency in the course of using the funds for the good of Benue people whom it was meant.
