By Amos Aar
THE DIRECTOR General (DG) of the Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments, Professor Abraham Tartenger Girgih, has denied claims that he expressed frustration over being underutilized and unpaid nearly a year after his appointment by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Appointed on July 23, 2024, Prof. Girgih was tasked with connecting the Benue diaspora to investment opportunities in agriculture and rural development.
The Directorate was created to serve as a platform for attracting international investment and harnessing the expertise and resources of Benue indigenes abroad.
Sources close to the DG, especially his staff, recently alleged that he has been lamenting his lack of official engagement, absence of an office or working tools, and non-payment of salary since assuming the position.
He was also reported to have described the situation as frustrating and unsustainable, suggesting that the Directorate remains inactive due to lack of political and logistical support.
When National Record contacted Prof. Girgih for his views on the claims, he firmly denied making such statements.
“If I have any issues, I will communicate directly with my principal, the governor. I have not complained to anybody. I’m not a woman, I’m a man. If I want to talk to the governor, I will talk to him directly,” he stated.
The situation has raised broader questions among citizens about the functionality of key government offices and the sincerity of efforts to engage the diaspora for state development.
Public expectations were high at the time of Prof. Girgih’s appointment, particularly following his previous role in co-convening the Benue Food Security Team and contributing to the state’s agricultural development blueprint.
Governor Alia had earlier emphasized that the Directorate would help reposition the state globally, attract investment, and create new opportunities for young people in agriculture and enterprise.
At a public interactive session in September 2024, he urged all appointees to be proactive in delivering on this vision.
Nearly a year on, however, there is little visible impact from the Directorate’s operations. This has led to growing concern about whether the necessary institutional backing exists to drive such a critical initiative forward.
The situation depicts a wider governance issue in Benue State, whether well-qualified individuals appointed into strategic roles are being given the tools and support to serve public interest effectively.
