By Amos Aar
GOVERNOR Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has denied taking any loan since he assumed the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2023.
Reacting to media reports (not National Record) that his administration has borrowed £25 million (N48,668,500,000 at today’s exchange rate of N1,946.74/£1) from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to execute 500 kilometers of road projects across the state, Governor Alia, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Tersoo Kula, described the reports as “untrue, misleading, and a figment of the imagination of the authors or rumour mongers, and should be accordingly, disregarded by the good people of the state”.
The statement further reads: “Gov. Alia-led administration has not borrowed any money since assuming the office on 29th May, 2023.
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“The European Investment Bank (EIB), which has been quoted to have granted the loan to the state government, is not a money lending agency.
“The EIB only finances and supports long-term projects within the European nations and, in rare cases, outside the European Union”.
Alia however admitted that Benue State under his watch has got such a financial package from the IEB.
“The £25m quoted is not a loan., and the public, particularly, those misinforming the good people of the state must understand that, as the Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has brought back belief and trust in governance; rekindled the confidence of lovers of development, thereby attracting donor agencies and development partners to the state.
“His government has also been visibly active in the payment of counterpart funds where and when necessary.
“Therefore, it is not strange that Benue made the list of states pencilled to enjoy the £25m, together with other states such as Borno, Taraba, Anambra, Cross River and Edo.
“Moreover, every sane mind understands that before taking a loan of such magnitude, (be it soft or Bond), the laws are clear that an approval of the legislative arm of government MUST be sought and gotten to that effect.
“It should be very clear to all that so far, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has not seen any need to borrow any money from anywhere. If the need arises, every due process will be followed and as one operating a very transparent government, the people will be told why and how much is to be borrowed and for what purpose”, the statement added
The statement however indicated that the £25 million was yet to be disbursed to Benue state as at Thursday, May 13, 2024.
“The £25m when disbursed by the EIB, will also be judiciously used for the purpose it is meant for”.
