THE BENUE Government says it will borrow N57.7 billion to fund its N550.1 billion 2025 budget.
Prof. Jerome Andohol, the Director General (DG) of Benue Planning Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 2025 budget breakdown in Makurdi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the event was organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the office of the Benue Planning Commission.
According to Andohol, the government expects to get N430.3 billion from the Federal Allocation, N35.5 billion from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and N26.4 billion from aids and grants, to also fund the budget.
The Commissioner said N110 billion was budgeted for infrastructure, N84 billion for agriculture and food security, N82.5 billion for health and human services and N82.5 billion for education and knowledge management.
He said social welfare would get N5 billion, security N46.8 billion, commerce N58.7 billion, Law and Order N26.6 billion, digital economy N18.7 billion, and others N34.8 billion.
Highlighting the key projects of the budget, the D-G said the construction of the Faculty of Engineering at Benue State University, Ihugh, would cost N15.3 billion.
Andohol said the state also budgeted N15.2 billion for the purchase of medical equipment, drugs, and other consumables, while upgrading facilities and purchase of consumables at Teaching Hospital was N7.8 billion.
He said N4.4 billion was budgeted for building, maintenance, and purchase of furniture in primary schools across the 23 local government areas (LGAs), among others.
According to him, the government will also build a new governor’s complex, complete water works in Otukpo and Katsina-Ala, and undertake other legacy projects rhis year.
The D-G also disclosed that the government intended to recapitalise Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), for improved output.
He said the main focus of the budget was the people, innovation, and sustainability.
Andahol explained that this year, the government would also try to address workforce challenges and food security, and improve economic and infrastructure deficits and others.
Responding to questions on the debt profile of the state, the D-G said the curent administration inherited N365 billon debt in 2023.
He, however, declined comments on the amount used by the government to service loans monthly.
NAN reports that the immediate past administration had said it was using more than N1.6 billion monthly for debt servicing. (NAN)
