From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, on Thursday, said the allegation made by members of the national assembly from Benue State against his principal, Governor Hyacinth Alia is mischievous and targeted at ridiculing him and his administration.

Sir Kula maintained that at no point did the state government take a decision to spend N44 billion to construct an underpass at the High level section of Makurdi, the State capital.

He dismissed the allegation with a wave of hand, saying it is “false and misleading”, adding that whoever concocted such for whatever reason goofed.

The chief press who stated this while  addressing  newsmen in Makurdi  against  the backdrop of a  press conference by  Benue NASS caucus in Abuja, where they accused the governor of playing politics with insecurity in the state and over blowing contract figures, stressed that the contract was originated as far back as November, 2023 at the Ministerial tender board.

 He explained that on the 3rd November, publication for bidding was done and on 22nd December, 2023 submission on tender commenced, while  bid for contract opened on 23 December,2023 with Bauhaus Global Investment Nigeria Ltd known to deliver quality jobs getting the contract.

“Some people are not just interested in the development of this state. They are very sad at the moment. They hate to see anything good happen here.

“It is very disheartening that the National Assembly caucus would say the dissolution of the Local government councils in the state is the reason for the increased Fulani attacks. Therefore, it appears the group knows what many including the governor are unaware of.

“They are enemies of the state who fabricate stories and sponsor some ready mischievous youth to propagate on the cyberspace with a clear intention to generate hatred for the administration”, Kula stated

He said already, the state government is investigating a letter allegedly sent to the herdsmen to return and occupy some parts of the state, adding that the anti-grazing law is still in force in the state as the governor had emphasized during the burial of the late Tor Sankera, Chief Abu King Shuluwa.

On the revenue of the state, he said the State government generates at least a total sum of N1.2 billion as revenue per month which are being used judiciously.

According to him, Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration has nothing to hide and so, always said that it is the people’s money and they have the right to know.

“The sum of N1.2billion is generated every month by the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and the amount is outside of PAYEE.”

 “Alia has continued to use the monies for salary payment and for projects to ensure that the people reap the dividends of democracy.

“You know that the immediate past administration took a lot of loans which reduces the amount of monies available to Government as the various banks deduct their monies from source from the federal accrual into the state’s purse.

“So, what the government gets (leftovers after loan deduction) at the end of the month which is little is what it adds up to the monthly generated revenue to do projects you see all over the state,” he said.

“The sum of the contract is 6 billion naira not even close to 10 billion naira not to talk of 44 billion naira. An underpass is meant to construct another road. It was captured properly in the budget.

“The initial bill of 9 billion naira was projected for the Wurukum underpass until the governor approached the President and the Minister for Works.

 The minister David Umahi approved and awarded it for 20 billion naira. The underpass is to decongest and beautify the State capital. Discussions are still ongoing with those whose structures or land have been affected by the construction work. Valuation is ongoing.”

“Benue people are grateful to the President and Minister for Works Dave Umahi for the approval for construction of a flyover and many other projects ahead”, Kula said.