The Benue State Executive Council, under the leadership of the Chairman, His Excellency, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has approved the sum of ₦1,292,419,475.53 for the CONMESS/CONHESS arrears, hazard allowances and new allowances for Medical Doctors and other health workers of the Benue State Hospital Management. This is intended to restore stability to the health sector.
Council also approved ₦1,695,308,290 for the sponsorship of 195 pilgrims and officials to the 2027 Hajj. It equally approved the full participation of the state in the fight against insecurity as proposed by the Northern States of Nigeria. This is part of broader efforts to halt insecurity in the region arising from several engagements including the recently concluded North Central Security Summit in Makurdi. It is aimed at ensuring that insecurity is brought to its knees in the region.
Council received the exciting news of the approval by the federal government of four of the state’s health facilities for free snake bite treatment centers in the state. The centers include General Hospital Katsina Ala, General Hospital Gboko, and General Hospital Otukpo with the Benue State Teaching Hospital as a referral center. This is to reduce the burden of the high cost of treating snake bites which is more often than not unaffordable by the victims. This intervention will go a long way in saving millions of lives.
Council was also informed of the huge success recorded by the students of Government Secondary School Gboko who emerged overall winners at a recently concluded National basketball competition in Lagos. This is a reflection of the renewed commitment to sports development in the state by the Alia-led administration. The government is also by this championship encouraged to invest more in order to restore Benue’s reputation in sports.
Council was equally informed of the recent rating by FITCH and other global bodies of the improvement in the State’s Economy from B-minus to B. This is indicative of the growth and stability in the state’s Economy and the readiness of the state for investments. It also speaks of Benue’s performance in the fiscal transparency assessment.
Council also approved the revised budget estimates of the supplementary budget. After proper review by the council, the budget ceiling of ₦695.01 billion was retained and allocation realignment were done to accommodate projects requiring additional funding and other priority needs. This is to show that there were no additional monetary additions to the budgets but a review and adjustments to make up for gaps within the budget line.
