Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has called for the adoption of a long-term development blueprint for the state, similar to the model used in Lagos, to ensure continuity and sustained growth across successive administrations.
Alia made the call on Friday in Makurdi during a media interaction with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team, led by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The team visited Benue to assess completed and ongoing Federal Government and state-funded infrastructure projects across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas.
The governor said Lagos’ development experience showed how a clearly defined master plan could guide successive governments and prevent the abandonment of projects initiated by previous administrations.
According to him, the development blueprint introduced during Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos governor between 1999 and 2007 had provided a framework that subsequent administrations continued to build upon.
Alia said Benue needed a similar arrangement that would give future governments a clear roadmap for development rather than allowing each administration to independently determine its priorities.
He explained that the lack of a long-term plan had affected continuity and contributed to the slow pace of development in the state.
The governor noted that Benue’s vast landmass, 23 LGAs and estimated population of about seven million made strategic and coordinated planning particularly necessary.
He said his administration had embarked on reforms because continuing with old methods without achieving better results was no longer acceptable.
Alia acknowledged that reforms could face opposition, especially from individuals who benefited from existing systems, but maintained that his government would remain focused on changes that could improve the lives of residents.
He listed improvements in infrastructure, primary healthcare and education among the areas that had received attention under his administration. He also said the government had maintained regular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions.
The governor highlighted the removal of school fees for pupils from Basic One to Basic Nine in public schools, describing the initiative as an investment in families and the state’s human capital.
On healthcare, Alia said the government was working to ensure that residents could access treatment within their communities rather than travelling long distances for basic medical services.
He also emphasised the importance of road construction, noting that good roads would enable farmers to transport their produce from farms to markets, boost local commerce and strengthen economic activities.
Alia attributed the administration’s ability to execute projects to careful financial management, stressing that available resources must be directed towards projects that serve the public interest.
He said the increase in federal allocations following the removal of the fuel subsidy had provided states with more funds but warned that such resources should be used responsibly and for their intended purposes.
The governor added that Benue was also exploring ways to increase its internally generated revenue by developing its agricultural, oil and gas, and solid mineral sectors.
According to him, the state has deposits of 43 different solid minerals, with several considered commercially viable, while efforts are also being made to explore its emerging oil and gas opportunities.
He said developing these resources would strengthen Benue’s revenue base, reduce its dependence on allocations from the Federation Account and provide additional funds for infrastructure and other development projects.
On the state’s relationship with the Federal Government, Alia described it as “superb”, saying improved cooperation had increased Benue’s access to federal support and opportunities.
He also disclosed that the improved relationship had helped the state attract major national engagements, including a planned security summit aimed at bringing relevant stakeholders together to address insecurity.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to reforms, infrastructure development and responsible management of public resources.
However, he stressed that the establishment of a comprehensive development master plan remained crucial to ensuring that the progress recorded by his administration would continue long after its tenure.
Alia Seeks Lagos-Style Development Plan for Benue
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