Nigerian Activist Asks popular Governor To Account For Over ₦400billion In Two Years Without Basic Infrastructure
Nigerian Activist Asks popular Governor To Account For Over ₦400billion In Two Years Without Basic Infrastructure
According to him, the combined receipts amounted to a conservative estimate of over ₦400 billion within 24 months.
ANigerian advocate for good governance, Agena Ande, has challenged Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to publicly account for what he described as over ₦400 billion allegedly received by the state within the governor’s first two years in office, alleging that the funds have not translated into meaningful development.
In an open letter addressed to the governor and released on Sunday, Ande accused the Alia administration of failing to deliver basic infrastructure, improve security or adequately cater for internally displaced persons (IDPs), despite what he claimed were substantial inflows from federal allocations, security votes, intervention funds and internally generated revenue.
Titled, “Mr Governor, Where Is The Benue Money? Two Years, ₦400 Billion, And Nothing To Show,” the letter alleged that Benue received over ₦300 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), billions of naira in monthly security votes, more than ₦30 billion in fuel subsidy palliatives, donor and intervention funds, as well as internally generated revenue from taxes and other sources.
According to him, the combined receipts amounted to a conservative estimate of over ₦400 billion within 24 months.
“I write not as a politician, but as a Nigerian who believes that government exists to serve the people. I write with pain because Benue is bleeding, and the numbers do not lie,” Ande wrote.
He alleged that despite the funds, the state could not boast of constructing 100 kilometres of new roads, describing several major road corridors as being in deplorable condition.
According to him, roads linking Makurdi to Naka and Gboko to Katsina-Ala remain largely impassable, while deteriorating rural roads continue to hinder the transportation of agricultural produce to markets.
Ande also criticised the security situation in the state, claiming that attacks in communities across Guma, Logo, Kwande, Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas had persisted despite the state’s security spending.
He further alleged that over two million displaced residents remained in camps without adequate resettlement, while teachers, healthcare workers and pensioners were owed salaries and entitlements.
He also accused the administration of relying on publicity rather than tangible achievements.
“A government that receives ₦400billion in two years and cannot deliver 100km of roads has failed the basic test of leadership,” he said.
“A governor who is quick on TV and slow on projects is not leading. He is managing perception.”
The advocate demanded that the Benue State Government publish a detailed account of all revenues received since May 2023 and provide a breakdown of how the funds were spent.
He also called on the administration to prioritise completed infrastructure projects, strengthen community-based security measures, resettle internally displaced persons and clear outstanding salaries and pensions.
“History will not remember your grammar. History will remember your roads. History will not remember your press conferences. History will remember if Benue children slept in peace,” the letter stated.
