By Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi
The Secretary to the Benue State Government, Prof Joseph Alakali, has scored Governor Hyacinth Alia very high in the use of local high content in the construction industry in the State.
Prof Alakali stated this on Tuesday while interfacing with journalists in Makurdi, on the eve of Democracy Day.
He insisted that his boss scored over 70% in the beginning of his first term in office, saying he deserved support.
He noted that the Governor was committed to infrastructural development and determined to empower the electorate through sound policy articulation.
The Erudite scholar disclosed Alia-led Administration is poised to ensure every citizen benefit from dividends of democracy, adding efforts are geared towards making lives more meaningful for the people.
He said, “Even before becoming a Governor, Alia was a priest who was healing the sick through sprinkle of holy water during his month end mass for people with peculiarities.
“Saying his focus is still with the masses, working and making sure that he impresses Benue people. I think we need this kind of person at this point in time.”
According to him, the Governor is passionate and ready to move the State forward, adding that he is against capital flight.
“I’m the one that writes EXCO extracts and I can tell you that the governor has given a couple of contracts to indigenes.
‘He is always against capital flight. But again when we came into government, some of the projects that needed to be done, were to be done by people that had money that would await payment later.
“These were some of the settlement arrangements which had and which were later honoured by the government.
“So many of our people don’t have the capacity to come and do one road project that is so expensive and then say okay pay me next month.
“The Government is conscious of the fact that there should be no capital flight. As we go on things will be more relaxed and people will be empowered.”he said
Enumerating some of the governor’s achievements, he said within one year, he has constructed 16 township roads in the state capital, commenced the construction of two underpasses in the capital city and Gboko.
He said the governor has renovated and furnished the 42-year old State Secretariat built by the first civilian governor, Aper Aku in 1983.
“He noted his boss has constructed 16 township roads and he is preparing to construct 50 more in the next six months across the State.
“There is ongoing construction of underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko.
“Benue people are really excited. No more strikes in the State because the governor has also prioritised workers welfare.”he said
The SSG said that since the inception of the incumbent administration, there has been no borrowing, yet it has ensured regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.
He said since Alia took over issues of salaries, pensions and gratuities were no longer at the front burner adding that he was paying and even paying arrears which he inherited.
“Since the inception of this administration, the Governor has not borrowed any money and there has not been any bailout or Paris Club Refund.
“He is only managing our resources prudently. So, if we had such opportunities that the past administrations had you would have seen much more even within this one year in office.” he boasted.
He said Gov Alia had already made tremendous efforts in the health, education, agriculture, security sectors and most importantly, human resources development.
He explained further that the State Government had already facilitated international partnerships with the Chinese, USA and Germans.
According to him, the partnerships were facilitated through the aid of the World Health Organisation for the supply of medical equipment to Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH).
He said for effective and efficient healthcare service delivery, the State Government had renewed the doctors bond scheme so that there would be enough doctors to be posted to rural areas.
He, called on relevant stakeholders to remained resolute as plans were in the offing to enhance development for betterment of all and sundry.
The SSG informed the administration commitment towards supporting small businesses and farmers through their registered cooperatives for grant to improve on their lots.
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