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Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has issued a strong directive to all revenue-generating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to plug financial leakages, strengthen accountability, and significantly boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the 2026 fiscal year.
The Governor delivered the charge on Thursday during the General Meeting of the Benue State Revenue Reconciliation Committee, held at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi. Addressing permanent secretaries, directors, heads of agencies, and key financial managers, Gov. Alia stressed that improved revenue performance is indispensable to his administration’s development agenda.
He explained that the state’s ability to deliver critical infrastructure, quality healthcare, education, and other essential services depends largely on prudent financial management and enhanced revenue inflows. The Governor disclosed that Benue generated approximately ₦29 billion in IGR in the previous fiscal year — a figure he described as far below the potential of a resource-rich state like Benue.
“The challenge is not the absence of revenue sources, but systemic inefficiencies, weak compliance structures, and leakages that prevent full capture and remittance of funds,” Gov. Alia stated. He cited the example of one government establishment that generated nearly ₦2 billion in a single month, arguing that such performance proves substantial improvements are achievable across the board when systems are tightened.
The Governor expressed particular concern over poor remittance practices in certain public institutions, including some healthcare facilities and tertiary institutions. He warned that underperforming agencies would face restructuring as part of ongoing reforms. To curb leakages and enhance oversight, he directed that all government revenues must henceforth be processed through a unified treasury framework designed to improve transparency, monitoring, and reconciliation.
“Public service is a trust. Every kobo due to Benue State must be accounted for,” the Governor declared, urging revenue officers to embrace innovation, professionalism, and integrity in their duties. He challenged the committee to propose creative strategies and modern approaches to expand the state’s revenue base, emphasising the importance of continuous professional development and inter-agency collaboration.
The Head of Service, Dr. Moses Agbobogbo Ode, described the annual reconciliation meeting as a key institutional mechanism introduced by the present administration to evaluate fiscal performance at the start of each year. He encouraged open discussion of operational challenges and collective efforts toward practical solutions.
Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Michael Oglekba, outlined the fiscal outlook for 2026 and highlighted the recent introduction of a new tax law aimed at modernising revenue administration. “The new tax law provides a more robust legal framework for assessment, collection, and enforcement. It will help close revenue gaps, improve transparency, and enhance the overall efficiency of our revenue system,” he said.
The Commissioner urged all MDAs to align strictly with the new legislation, noting that higher IGR is essential to reducing dependence on federal allocations and sustaining development projects statewide.
Revenue managers in attendance pledged full support for the administration’s reform initiatives and committed to intensifying efforts to surpass the state’s revenue projections for 2026.
The meeting signals a renewed push by the Alia administration to build a more self-reliant, transparent, and efficient fiscal system capable of funding Benue’s long-term development priorities without over-reliance on external resources.
