The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has said his three years in office have been defined by courage, sacrifice, determination, and steady progress. Governor Alia stated this Friday in an address on the occasion of his third anniversary in office.
Speaking, the Governor said, “Today marks exactly three years since I took the Oath of Office as your Executive Governor, with a solemn promise to serve God and humanity, restore hope to our people, and reposition Benue State on the path of peace, growth, and prosperity.
“With profound gratitude to Almighty God and deep appreciation to the resilient people of our dear state, I stand before you today humbled by the remarkable journey we have undertaken together.”
Governor Alia recalled that upon assumption of office, Benue State was confronted with enormous difficulties ranging from decayed infrastructure, unpaid salaries and pensions, weakened institutions, insecurity, unemployment, and declining public confidence in governance saying the task before his administration was enormous, but made a commitment to change the narrative and rebuild Benue state from the foundations.
Giving a run down of his achievements, the Governor said, “Today, I can confidently say that together, we have made visible and measurable progress.
“From the very beginning, we recognized that no meaningful development could take place without peace and security. Conscious of my constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, this administration has consistently provided logistics, operational support, motivation, and intelligence to security agencies across the state.
“To strengthen the fight against criminality and terrorism, we procured and handed over 150 Hilux vehicles and other critical logistics support to security operatives. In addition, we have provided over 600 motorbikes to enable security personnel access difficult terrains often exploited by criminal elements after carrying out attacks on innocent communities.
“Beyond this, we established the Civil Protection Guards and the joint task force code-named “Anyam Nyor,” to complement the existing Operation Zenda. These interventions were carefully designed to reinforce the efforts of conventional security agencies in combating crime and restoring peace across the state,” the governor explained.
He therefore expressed appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support in the fight against insecurity in Benue State saying, “Today, the impact of these efforts is becoming evident. Many of our displaced people are gradually returning to their ancestral homes, while the number of persons in the internally displaced camps are gradually reducing as relative peace returns to many parts of the state.”
Governor Alia also explained that, “While restoring security, we also moved decisively to rebuild governance and restore dignity to public service. Our administration has prioritized workers’ welfare because we understand that a motivated workforce remains the backbone of productivity and efficient service delivery.
“And through prudent management of resources and fiscal discipline, salaries are now paid more consistently and promptly. Pensioners, who were once neglected and painfully referred to as “dead people,” are gradually regaining their dignity through sustained payment efforts and reforms within the pension system.”
Governor Alia further cited other areas his administration has made tremendous progress to include infrastructure, especially in the construction of rural and urban roads as well as agriculture, healthcare and education in which he noted his administration has made strategic investments aimed at building a healthier and more educated population.
On Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the Governor stated that his administration has strengthened revenue generation systems, encouraged private sector participation, and created a more business-friendly atmosphere that supports traders, entrepreneurs, and investors adding that in the industrial sector, his government has initiated reforms and partnerships targeted at reviving dormant industries, while also establishing cottage industries that are already generating revenue and creating employment opportunities.
“Notably, we have established a multi-billion-naira Food Basket Brewery, producers of Zeva Beer and other beverages, as well as the Fruit Juice Processing Company designed to add value to our abundant citrus produce which previously lacked commercial viability.
“These initiatives are laying a solid foundation for industrial growth, job creation, and long-term economic transformation across Benue State.
“In line with global realities and the demands of the modern economy, this administration has equally prioritized digital transformation and human capital development.
“We have trained over 10,000 youths in digital skills, while the first batch of over 20 youths have been sent abroad, particularly to Belarus, for advanced training opportunities.”
While acknowledging the support, sacrifices, and cooperation of traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants, security agencies, development partners, party faithful, and the good people of Benue State without whom he said none of these achievements would have been possible, Governor Alia expressed optimism for a greater Benue saying, “While challenges still remain, one thing is undeniable: Benue is rising again. Hope has returned. Confidence in government is being restored. Our streets are becoming livelier, our institutions stronger, and our future brighter.”
“As we begin another phase of this journey, I assure you that this administration will not relent. We shall continue to work tirelessly to deliver more dividends of democracy, deepen peace and unity, and build a Benue State that future generations will be proud of,” he summed.
