The Benue State Executive Council has approved a total of N5.2 billion for the implementation of the second phase of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES 2.0) and the payment of 12 months’ outstanding salary arrears owed to academic staff of tertiary institutions in the state.
The approvals were reached at the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday, at Government House, Makurdi, under the chairmanship of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, said Council approved N2.9 billion for NG-CARES 2.0 and N2.3 billion to settle outstanding salary arrears owed to lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions.
Iorpev also disclosed that Council approved the implementation of the 25 and 35 per cent salary increments for members of the Academic Staff Union of Tertiary Institutions of Benue State (ASUTIBS), with an additional monthly financial commitment of N191.9 million.
The Council further approved the domestication of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for staff of the Benue State House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Commission.
In another major development, the Council approved ₦498.9 million as a variation for the ongoing rural electrification project covering 12 communities along the Ihugh axis of Vandeikya Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, Dr. Ortese Yanmar, said the project had reached approximately 90 per cent completion.
He listed Ihugh, Bako, Abaki, Tse-Alia, Mbausu, Ngehe, Hembe and Anhyula among the beneficiary communities.
Yanmar explained that the additional funding was necessitated by rising construction material costs, expressing optimism that the project would be completed before Christmas.
NG-CARES 2.0 to Expand Rural Interventions
The Commissioner for Finance, Michael Oglegba, said the NG-CARES programme had previously supported rural communities through the provision of boreholes, renovation of schools, construction of healthcare facilities, cash transfers and business support initiatives.
He explained that the newly approved N2.9 billion would sustain and expand the interventions, providing further economic relief and development opportunities for vulnerable households across the state.
The Council also approved the domestication of the National Chart of Accounts and the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)-compliant budgeting for local governments.
The Director-General of the Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission, Prof. Jerome Andohol, said the initiative would harmonise local government budgeting and financial reporting while strengthening transparency, accountability and the efficient utilisation of public resources.
Andohol further revealed that Benue State’s social register currently contains nearly 500,000 vulnerable households, representing approximately 1.7 million people, under the NG-CARES intervention framework.
The State Executive Council also celebrated the academic achievements of Princess Adeja International College, Gboko, which emerged as Nigeria’s overall best international secondary school for the sixth consecutive time at the Nigerian International Secondary School Model United Nations Competition.
The school also secured 37 individual awards at the competition.
Similarly, Government Girls’ College, Makurdi, which represented Benue State at a competition organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, emerged third at the North Central regional level.
The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Adamu Margaret Ijaguwua, said Governor Alia had directed that arrangements be made to receive and honour the students of Princess Adeja International College for their outstanding performance and contribution to the state’s image.
Council Receives Security Briefing, Mourns Former Chief Judge
On security, Iorpev said Council received encouraging reports on the relative calm across the state, assuring residents and visitors that Benue remained open to visitors and political campaigners who complied with established security procedures.
He, however, stressed that individuals seeking access to internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camps managed by the state government must obtain the necessary authorisation and security clearance.
The Council also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late Justice Adam Onum, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice who later served as Chief Judge of Benue State.
Iorpev disclosed that Governor Alia had directed the state government to make the necessary arrangements to participate fully in the late jurist’s burial.
The latest decisions underscore the state government’s focus on workers’ welfare, rural infrastructure, community development, educational advancement, fiscal accountability and security.
The approvals are expected to strengthen ongoing development interventions, address outstanding obligations to tertiary institution workers and improve access to basic infrastructure and economic opportunities across Benue State.