Gom Mirian
The Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has released a comprehensive plan on how it will disburse the five-billion-naira fund provided by the Federal Government to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on the citizens.
The reverend-turned-governor, known for his relentless dedication to the welfare of the people, unveiled the plan during the flag-off of the distribution of relief materials to victims of the 2022 flood in the capital city of Makurdi.
Governor Alia said Benue State had already received two billion naira out of the money and was awaiting the balance of the funds.
Speaking at the event, he stated: “The welfare of our people is of utmost importance, and we will use the funds to achieve the following: Register WAEC and NECO examinations for graduating students in all government-approved secondary schools in the state for the 2023/2024 academic year.
“Provide intensive computer and ICT training for 2000 youth of the state to enable them to acquire jobs within and outside the state, and provide grants to five thousand (5000) women in the state based on the revised social register of the women cooperatives.
“Purchase one hundred new buses for the state-owned transport company – Benue Links – to provide services to the people of the state at a subsidised rate, provide shuttle buses in the three major towns of Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo to ease movement within the towns, and pay one-month pension arrears to state and local government retirees.”
Fr. Alia continued by saying that among other things, the cash would be utilised to provide basic commodities like rice in significant quantities to each of the state’s 23 Local Government Areas.
The Governor urged the populace to exercise patience as the government would soon begin carrying out the aforementioned plans and expressed the expectation that the remaining portion of the money will be shortly given to state government coffers.
