•PDP logo and Governor Alia of Benue State
The Benue State House of Assembly yesterday approved a request presented to it by Governor Hyacinth Alia to obtain a N100 billion loan to finance key infrastructural projects across the state.
Our correspondent reports that the approval was granted during an emergency sitting of the Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Alfred Emberga.
In a letter read to members by the Speaker, Governor Alia said the loan would be used to fund projects including the renovation and equipping of 23 general hospitals, the renovation and construction of science schools, the completion of ongoing road and bridge projects, the building of skills acquisition centres, and the establishment of smart schools across all federal constituencies.
The loan will also fund the construction and equipping of the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh, among other projects, reports Weekend Trust.
The House unanimously approved the request, urging the state government to apply the funds judiciously for the development and progress of the state.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has faulted the approval, describing it as “reckless and insensitive” to the economic realities facing the people.
In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, the PDP said the borrowing lacked transparency and accountability, warning that the move could plunge Benue into another cycle of unsustainable debt.
The party urged the Assembly to “retrace its steps and act in the true spirit of checks and balances rather than as a rubber stamp of the executive.”
