Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
The Benue State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), under the leadership of Chairman Hon. Vitalis Terhile Neji, has taken a significant step to strengthen its operational capacity with the procurement of a new coaster bus.
The vehicle was formally presented for inspection to Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia on Tuesday at the Government House in Makurdi. The acquisition aligns with the state government’s development agenda and signals the local government councils’ readiness to play a central role in the implementation of the 2026 Budget of Rural Development and Livelihood Support.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Hon. Neji explained that the new bus forms part of broader efforts by local government councils across Benue State to reposition grassroots administration for more effective service delivery. He emphasized that the vehicle would significantly enhance the mobility of ALGON officials, improve coordination among the 23 local government areas, and facilitate closer engagement with rural communities.
According to the ALGON chairman, the bus will support better monitoring, supervision, and implementation of development programmes targeted at improving livelihoods at the grassroots level. “The 2026 budget places strong emphasis on rural development and livelihood support, and local governments are central to achieving these goals,” Hon. Neji stated. “This vehicle will support monitoring, collaboration, and effective implementation of policies and programmes that directly impact our people.”
Governor Hyacinth Alia, while commending the ALGON leadership for the initiative, described the procurement as a clear demonstration of commitment to strengthening local government institutions. He stressed that effective rural development largely depends on a functional and proactive local government system.
The governor urged all local government chairmen to continue aligning their actions and resources with the priorities outlined in the 2026 budget. He highlighted the importance of improved coordination and accountability at the grassroots, noting that such measures would translate into tangible benefits for rural dwellers across the state.
Governor Alia also used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s dedication to working closely with local government councils to ensure that governance delivers real and measurable dividends to the people, particularly those in rural areas.
The presentation underscored the growing synergy between the Benue State Government and the ALGON leadership. Both sides reiterated their shared resolve to successfully implement policies aimed at rural transformation and sustainable livelihoods throughout the state.
As preparations intensify for the full rollout of the 2026 rural-focused budget, initiatives such as this are expected to play a key role in bridging the gap between policy formulation and on-the-ground execution in Benue’s rural communities.
