Alia-led Admin Has Not Borrowed Any Money Since May 2023 – Benue State Govt. Says
The Governor Hyacinth Alia-led Government of Benue State on Sunday declared since it assumed office on May 29, 2023, till date, it did not borrow any money from either the domestic or any external sources.
It said that all debts presently incurred by the State government were incurred before Governor Alia led administration took over on May 29, 2023.
These were contained in a statement by Sir Terso Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor in which he said that the government of Governor Alia is sceptical of borrowings.
The State Government which stated these while reacting to a report by the Punch Newspapers, said that that the administration can only borrow when it becomes absolutely necessary to do so.
The statement stated; “We read a report in the Punch Newspaper of Sunday, March 31, 2024, wherein the reporter alleged that, 13 new State Governors, including Benue, collectively borrowed N226.8bn from both domestic and external financiers, between the period of June and December, 2023.
“The analysis according to the reporter, is based on the latest sub-national debt reports released by the Debt Management Office (DMO).
“We challenge the Punch Newspaper reporter to be more investigative in his reports, providing accurate facts, which is a key component of journalism practice.
“Let it be known that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia is skeptical of borrowings, and will only do so when and if it becomes necessary and it is in the interest of the Benue people, especially to fund critical projects,” it said.
