…As BSHA Increases Amount by N89.5b
The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill which the Benue State House of Assembly has increased by N89.5 billion making it N695.01 billion.
Recall that the Governor had submitted to the Benue State House of Assembly an appropriation bill of N605.5 billion.
Presenting the Bill to the Governor for assent, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, stated that the House did due diligence by painstakingly scrutinizing and analysing the budget bearing in mind the current economic realities in line with the vision of the Alia administration.
Speaking shortly after signing the Bill, tagged “Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth,” the Governor said, the budget was rooted in the present realities and is guided by the aspirations that bind the people together for a greater future.
According to him, ”At the heart of Benue lies a strong rural foundation that feeds the nation, preserves our culture, and anchors our path to inclusive growth. For decades, these rural communities carried the weight of neglect, despite feeding the nation” adding that, “With this budget, we make a bold declaration: The era of rural neglect is over”.
The Governor further explained that, ”The 2026 Budget deliberately prioritizes rural transformation through feeder roads, bridges, water supply, rural electrification, and climate-smart infrastructure. When we connect farms to markets, we unlock wealth. When we connect communities to schools and hospitals, we secure dignity. When rural Benue thrives, the entire state prospers.
”Our farmers remain the pride of this land. That is why agriculture and agro-industrial development receive strong backing in this budget.
”We are expanding access to subsidized inputs, mechanization, extension services, aggregation centers, and cottage processing facilities. We are not just growing crops, we are growing value chains, jobs, and incomes.”
Governor Alia further commended members of the Benue State House for carrying out a diligent, transparent, and patriotic budget process even as he urged individuals, development partners, the private sector, traditional institutions, civil society groups, and the media to see the budget as an invitation to partnership.
The Governor assured people of the State that implementation of the 2026 Budget would be executed with discipline and accountability, noting that the success of the budget would ultimately be measured by its impact on the lives of Benue residents.
