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The Benue State House of Assembly has passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill, approving a total budget of ₦695,011,237,687.28, marking an increase of ₦89.5 billion over the ₦605.5 billion originally proposed by Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
The budget was approved on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, following the presentation of the House Committee on Appropriation report during plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS.
The report was presented by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Douglas Akya, on behalf of the Chairman, Hon. Isaac Ochikiliye.
In his presentation, Akya explained that the 2026 budget is strategically designed to fast-track infrastructure development, enhance social service delivery, and stimulate sustainable economic growth across the state.
Among other recommendations, the House urged its committees to advise Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to desist from extra-budgetary expenditures. It also called for the strengthening of audit and procurement processes to promote transparency, accountability, and effective budget implementation.
Commending members of the Appropriation Committee, Speaker Emberga praised the thoroughness and quality of work invested in scrutinizing the budget proposal.
He subsequently directed the Clerk of the House to prepare a clean copy of the bill for transmission to the Governor for assent.
The passage of the expanded budget signals the Assembly’s commitment to supporting the administration’s developmental agenda while ensuring fiscal discipline and value for money in governance.
