Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, and his predecessor, Samuel Ortom, have exchanged words over the ₦100 billion loan recently approved by the Benue State House of Assembly.
During an emergency plenary session on Friday, the House approved Alia’s request to obtain the ₦100 billion loan to finance various infrastructural projects across the state.
According to Governor Alia, the loan will be channelled into projects such as the renovation and equipping of all 23 general hospitals, the upgrading of science schools, and the completion of several ongoing infrastructure works, including roads, bridges, drainage systems, and electricity projects.
Other plans include constructing skills acquisition centres, building and equipping “smart schools” in each federal constituency, and developing the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh.
However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), through its Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, criticised the approval, arguing that the Alia administration had already received significant revenue from federal allocations within the past two years.
Alia Hits Back
In response, Alia’s media aide, Kula Tersoo, accused the Ortom-led PDP government of “democratising poverty” by failing to pay salaries and pensions during its tenure.
Alia described Ortom’s eight years in office as a “colossal failure,” adding that his government inherited enormous debts and a collapsed infrastructure base.
“The PDP administration, especially under Samuel Ortom, left behind a direct debt burden of ₦187.7 billion. Upon review, this figure was discovered to be understated, with an additional ₦170 billion owed through local governments. It’s shocking that Ortom’s government accumulated such massive debts and still failed to pay civil servants and pensioners,” Alia stated.
He further accused Ortom’s government of mismanaging bailout funds, LNG allocations, and Paris Club refunds, leaving the state with a total debt profile of ₦359 billion and several months of unpaid salaries and pensions.
Ortom Fires Back
In a swift reaction, Ortom, through his media aide Terver Akase, accused Governor Alia of deflecting from legitimate concerns rather than addressing issues of transparency.
Ortom argued that despite a 500% increase in federal allocations, Alia’s administration had made little progress and was focused on comparing itself with the previous government.
He stated that when he left office, several federal disbursements were pending, including a ₦41 billion bailout fund balance, a ₦20 billion CBN facility, and refunds for subsidy withdrawals and SURE-P funds.
Ortom also accused Alia of failing to disclose details surrounding major contracts, such as the ₦68.3 billion road rehabilitation from Wurukum Roundabout to the Air Force Base in Makurdi, and a ₦73 billion road project allegedly leading to Alia’s hometown in Vandeikya Local Government Area.
“Each time Governor Alia is asked about transparency or the welfare of Benue people, he resorts to attacking Ortom instead of providing facts and figures. This behaviour reflects an administration avoiding accountability,” Akase said.
The former governor challenged Alia to publish details of all revenues received since May 2023 and how they were spent.
“Why the secrecy surrounding the state’s finances? Instead of addressing the people’s concerns, Governor Alia prefers insults and diversion. My administration was defined by transparency, service, and courage in defending Benue people during difficult times,” Ortom added
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