Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has announced the imminent commencement of a multibillion-naira National Food City in Otukpo, describing it as a flagship project designed to accelerate agro-industrialisation, boost food security, and create large-scale employment across the state.
The governor disclosed this on Friday during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, at IBB Square, Makurdi.
Governor Alia who was represented by his deputy, Dr Sam Ode said the Food City is central to his administration’s economic diversification agenda, aimed at unlocking value across the agricultural chain and generating sustainable jobs for Benue residents.
He further revealed that more than 400 road construction and rehabilitation projects are currently underway across Benue to enhance connectivity, ease trade, and facilitate the movement of people and goods. The infrastructure push, he noted, is complemented by the installation of streetlights in strategic locations, which has improved security and stimulated night-time economic activities, especially for small-scale traders.
Addressing workers, Governor Alia assured that governance will not be sidelined as the electioneering period approaches. “We shall not sacrifice governance on the altar of politics,” he stated.
He reaffirmed that workers’ welfare remains a priority of his administration, citing the prompt payment of salaries, settlement of pension obligations, and implementation of an enhanced minimum wage as key achievements. Efforts are also ongoing to clear inherited salary arrears while building workforce capacity through continuous training and retraining of civil servants.
“Our aspirations are tall, our vision is clear, and our determination to stimulate economic expansion is unwavering,” the governor said, while calling for deeper collaboration with the private sector.
Earlier, the Benue State NLC Chairman, Comrade Terlumun Igbe, who spoke on behalf of organised labour, commended Governor Alia for his commitment to workers’ welfare and the progress recorded under his leadership.
Igbe, however, urged the state government to review and upgrade pension payments, stressing that current benefits no longer reflect economic realities. He also appealed for the provision of a union vehicle to aid official duties.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Levi Akuma, welcomed workers to the event and lauded their resilience and contributions to the state’s development.
This year’s Workers’ Day was held under the theme, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” highlighting the need for sustained policy action on economic stability, security, and improved working conditions in Benue State.
