By Barnabas Agashua
The Benue State Executive Council, under Governor Hyacinth Alia, in a single sitting on March 20, 2025, approved a staggering amount of N149.5 billion for four road projects.
Among the projects the Alia government said it would undertake is the “extension and dualization of the Wurukum-Airforce Base Road,” which it approved at a cost of N68.3 billion.
Another project which is to gulp a jaw-dropping amount is the “upgrade of the Mbawuar to Bako-Negher and Spur to Mbaakon Road,” approved at a cost of N73.9 billion. That is a rural road located in a terrain without streams, requiring bridge construction.
READ ALSO
Poisonous attack to harm Ukechir has reinforced his support for Tinubu
Two years of failed Governance under Governor Alia
Gov. Alia Approves Grazing Reserves, Cattle Colonies, Ruga in Benue
The Alia-led Executive Council also approved N1.1 billion for the “rehabilitation and upgrade of the Deputy Governor’s Lodge.” Similarly, the government approved N4.5 billion for the “reconstruction of the State Assembly Complex and Clinic.”
Additionally, the Council approved the immediate payment of N1.5 billion in funding to CGC, a Chinese company.
The N149.5 billion approved by Governor Alia for just four projects represents nearly 50% of the total amount allocated for Capital Expenditure in the 2025 Budget of Benue State.
The budgeted Capital Expenditure in the 2025 budget of the state is Three Hundred and Seventy-Four Billion, Seven Hundred Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Six Naira, Forty-One Kobo (N374,700,970,646.41).
With N149 billion already allocated for only four projects, the balance from N374.7 billion is N225 billion.
The people of Benue need to know that the N68.3 billion the Alia government claims it wants to spend on the Wurukum-Airforce Base Road rehabilitation is not included in the 2025 budget. It is also important to note that the road has already been dualized. All that the government will do is replace the asphalt that has worn off in some sections of the road.
So how does mere asphalt replacement attract N68.3 billion for a short road?
Why Sanwo-Olu Apologises to Lagosians
The question is: if Governor Alia is spending almost 50% of the state’s budgeted capital expenditure on only four road projects, what becomes of the remaining projected capital expenditure for the rest of the fiscal year under review?
* Agashua is a concerned citizen from Makurdi
