From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has dismissed allegations that Governor Hyacinth Alia is diverting local government funds, insisting instead that his administration is injecting resources into the councils to accelerate grassroots development.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, stated this at a press conference at Government House, Makurdi, on Friday while responding to recent comments by former Governor Samuel Ortom and former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa.
Kula described the allegations against the governor as propaganda, maintaining that the Alia administration remains committed to strengthening the local government system and ensuring that councils function effectively.
According to him, local government councils in the state operate autonomously, with several council chairmen undertaking infrastructure and other development projects in their respective areas.
The governor’s spokesman explained that the state government also collaborates with local councils on some development projects through a funding arrangement in which the councils contribute 40 per cent while the state provides 60 per cent.
He listed some of the road projects being undertaken under the arrangement to include the Oju-Konshisha Road, projects in Apa, Agatu and Gwer West, the Igumale-Agila Road, Mbagwaza in Ushongo, Sankera-Chito-Vaase and Adikpo-Koti-Vandeikya-Tseen Ke roads.
Kula added that the administration had also made interventions in healthcare and the provision of other social amenities across the state.
He said development projects were being implemented in Guma Local Government Area, the home council of Ortom, including a five-kilometre asphalt road covering parts of Udei and Umenger, as well as renovation works at the local government secretariat in Gbajimba.
According to him, about N4 billion has been earmarked for some of the projects in the area.
Kula also cited projects in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, where he said the council chairman, Justine Shaku, who also serves as Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, awarded a contract for the construction of the 21-kilometre Yooyo Road and renovated the council secretariat.
He further said Ado Local Government Chairman, Sunday Oche, earmarked N2.8 billion for road construction and another N1.2 billion as counterpart funding for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project.
According to him, the interventions are expected to improve infrastructure and provide solar-powered lighting, while similar development projects are being executed in Otukpo and other parts of the state.
“Governor Alia is not embezzling local government funds; rather, he is injecting funds into them. You can challenge the governor on other fronts, but not on governance because he is keeping his covenant with the people,” Kula said.
Turning to the political criticism from Ortom and Aondoakaa, the CPS accused the two politicians of attempting to undermine the administration through what he described as propaganda.
He also alleged that Ortom was supporting Aondoakaa’s political ambition as part of efforts to return to influence in the governance of the state.
Kula further criticised Aondoakaa’s record as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, questioning his suitability to manage the affairs and resources of Benue State.
He urged residents of the state to assess the Alia administration based on its performance and ongoing development projects rather than what he described as politically motivated allegations from its opponents.
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