RismadarVoice Reporters
October 19, 2026
The Benue State Government has defended Governor Hyacinth Alia’s management of federal allocations, insisting that the funds are being used to settle inherited debts, improve workers’ welfare and execute development projects across the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, stated this on Monday while responding to concerns raised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the state’s reported monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts of approximately ₦30 billion.
Iorpev accused the opposition party of overlooking the financial obligations inherited by the current administration and presenting an incomplete picture of government expenditure.
According to him, the Alia administration inherited more than ₦186 billion in domestic debts, including bank loans and outstanding contractor payments, alongside other liabilities that reportedly pushed the total above ₦300 billion.
He claimed that the government had restructured and repaid over ₦64.63 billion in inherited obligations within 18 months without securing fresh commercial loans.
The commissioner argued that inflation and exchange-rate depreciation had reduced the purchasing power of government revenue, making direct comparisons with allocations received by previous administrations misleading.
On workers’ welfare, Iorpev said the administration had cleared inherited salary arrears, introduced regular salary payments between the 22nd and 25th of each month, and increased the minimum wage to ₦75,000.
He also highlighted investments in healthcare, education, agriculture and infrastructure.
According to the commissioner, more than 320 primary healthcare centres have been renovated or re-equipped, while over 9,000 primary school workers have been recruited.
He further cited the implementation of free basic education, subsidised agricultural inputs and ongoing construction of more than 500 kilometres of roads across the state.
Iorpev identified the revival of Taraku Mills, urban renewal projects and the Light Up Benue solar initiative as additional programmes aimed at improving economic activities and public safety.
The commissioner maintained that the administration should be assessed by its development outcomes rather than political allegations.
However, the financial figures and project completion claims presented by the government remain official assertions requiring independent assessment through audited financial statements and verifiable project records.
The PDP’s demand for accountability highlights continuing debate over how increased federal allocations are being managed by state governments.
