Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue Sta presented the state’s 2025 budget, placing strong emphasis on human capital development, food security, and the digital economy.
The budget, themed “Budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security, and Digital Economy,” was unveiled at the Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission conference hall in Makurdi.
Representing the governor, the commission’s Director General, Professor Jerome Andohol, outlined the administration’s key priorities, which include infrastructural rehabilitation, investment revitalization, and fiscal sustainability.
With a total allocation of N550.1 billion, the budget earmarks N357.6 billion for capital expenditure and N192.5 billion for recurrent spending.
Infrastructure takes the largest share at 20%, followed by Education, Health, and Agriculture, each receiving 15%. Other allocations include Security (8%), Commerce (10%), Digital Economy (3%), Social Welfare (0.93%), and Miscellaneous (6%).
The construction of the faculty of engineering at the Benue state university, Ihugh, alongside upgrades to secondary and technical colleges across the three senatorial districts, and primary schools in all the 23 local government councils, he said will also undergo renovation and new construction.
A general hospital in Zone A, as made known by him, will be upgraded to a specialist hospital to improve healthcare services., adding that plans to establish 12 state of the art market across the three senatorial districts, aimed at boosting local trade and economic activities.
Professor Andohol urged residents to support the administration’s vision, describing the budget as a strategic roadmap for sustainable development.
Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Matthew Aboh, applauded the government’s commitment to economic growth and called on the media to help educate the public on the initiatives outlined in the budget.