Governor Alia Assents to 2026 Budget, Declares End to Rural Neglects in Benue

George Okoh in Makurdi

The governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Thursday assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, unveiling what he described as ‘’a people-focused spending plan,” aimed at rural development, livelihood support, and a sustained economic growth.

The Governor had submitted to the Benue State House of Assembly an appropriation bill of N605.51 billion, but the House after the appropriate budgetary processes, passed 695.01 billion, increasing the budget by 89.5billion.

Presenting the bill to the governor for assent, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, stated the House did due diligence by painstakingly scrutinizing and analysing the budget viz-a-viz the current economic realities and in line with the vision of the administration.

Speaking shortly after signing the bill, christened the “Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth,” the Governor said: “this budget is rooted in the realities of our present and is guided by the aspirations that bind us to a greater tomorrow.

”At the heart of Benue lies a strong rural foundation that feeds the nation, preserves our culture, and anchors our path to inclusive growth. For decades, these rural communities carried the weight of neglect, despite feeding the nation. With this budget, we make a bold declaration: the era of rural neglect is over.

”The 2026 Budget deliberately prioritizes rural transformation through feeder roads, bridges, water supply, rural electrification, and climate-smart infrastructure.

“When we connect farms to markets, we unlock wealth. When we connect communities to schools and hospitals, we secure dignity. When rural Benue thrives, the entire State prospers.”

He emphasized further that, “our farmers remain the pride of this land. That is why agriculture and agro-industrial development receive strong backing in this budget.

”We are expanding access to subsidized inputs, mechanization, extension services, aggregation centers, and cottage processing facilities. We are not just growing crops; we are growing value chains, jobs, and incomes.”

The governor commended the Benue State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Emberga, for what he described as a diligent, transparent, and patriotic budget process.

While calling for collective responsibility, Governor Alia urged citizens, development partners, the private sector, traditional institutions, civil society groups, and the media to see the budget as an invitation to partnership.

He assured the people of the state that implementation would be carried out with discipline and accountability, stressing that the success of the budget would ultimately be measured by its impact on the lives of Benue residents.