Nigerian Concord Newspaper
Benue Transparency Watch has tasked the state governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia to give the true picture of his maladministration in the state to the public and not giving fake accounts of a progress that never takes place under his administration.
The advocacy group was reacting to a press interview granted the Presidential State House Press Corps in Abuja early this week where he painted a fake picture of happenings in Benue state.
According to the group, the people of Benue State deserve facts about happenings at home instead of public relations
The group pressed further that it’s sad that Governor Alia painted an optimistic picture of governance and development in Benue State without verifiable facts, transparency and measurable outcomes.
The statement reads:
“The administration’s assertions regarding over 550 kilometres of roads under construction and rehabilitation, widespread educational infrastructure, industrial revival, improved security, healthcare expansion, and economic transformation deserve independent verification.
“Benue people, who experience the realities of governance daily, are entitled to detailed project locations, contract information, implementation status, expenditure records, timelines, and measurable outcomes rather than broad declarations.
“Similarly, references to the revival of industries such as Food Basket Breweries, Bensono Juice and Concentrate Factory, and Taraku Mills should be accompanied by evidence of their operational capacity, employment figures, production output, and actual contribution to the state’s economy. Development is measured not by announcements alone but by sustainable results that improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
“We acknowledge the implementation of the ₦75,000 minimum wage. However, available information indicates that its implementation has not been uniform across all ministries, departments, agencies, and local government councils. In several instances, workers have received only partial implementation, resulting in industrial disputes and strikes by labour unions. These concerns deserve clarification from the government.
“It is also important that the administration provides a transparent account of the status of pension payments, gratuity arrears, contractor obligations, healthcare funding, and other outstanding financial commitments. Transparency requires presenting both achievements and unresolved challenges.
“Governor Alia’s assertion that Benue has fully implemented local government autonomy is difficult to reconcile with prevailing realities. Many local government councils continue to struggle financially and remain unable to function independently as envisioned by the Constitution and the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy.
“Today, we watched with disappointment as Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia addressed the nation from the Presidential Villa. As concerned and enlightened citizens of Benue State, we consider it necessary to examine some of the claims made during that briefing, particularly his declaration that Benue is the “number one compliant” state regarding local government autonomy.
“For a former clergyman whose public ministry was founded on the principles of truth, integrity, and accountability, the wide gap between these public claims and the realities experienced by many citizens is deeply concerning.
The condition of Benue’s twenty-three local government councils presents a different picture from the one projected before the nation.
While the Governor described local governments as financially empowered and development-driven, sustainable development cannot be achieved while neglecting the welfare of the workers who keep the system functioning.
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Benue State recently embarked on industrial action over unresolved welfare issues. If local government autonomy is indeed functioning effectively and councils are receiving and managing their allocations independently, it raises legitimate questions as to why many councils continue to struggle with salary arrears, delayed promotions, unpaid pension remittances, unresolved staff claims, and even shortages of basic office materials.
The recurring industrial disputes suggest that the challenges facing local governments remain far from resolved.
Governor Alia also suggested that local government chairmen could independently verify his claims. However, political reality makes such an expectation difficult.
In practice, local government chairmen often operate within the political structure established by the state government. Consequently, expecting them to publicly contradict the governor on matters relating to financial autonomy and allocation management may not be realistic.
The continued labour unrest, financial uncertainty, and operational challenges experienced across several local governments do not reflect a system enjoying full autonomy.
Ironically, some councils with relatively small workforces still struggle to meet basic obligations such as salary payments, promotions, pension remittances, and staff welfare. These realities warrant serious public attention.
SECURITY SITUATION
The governor’s optimistic assessment also contrasts sharply with the prevailing security situation in many parts of Benue State.
Large numbers of citizens remain displaced from their ancestral communities due to persistent attacks and insecurity across several local government areas, including Kwande, Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Logo, Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Agatu, and Ogbadibo. Many communities remain deserted, while thousands of internally displaced persons continue to depend on humanitarian support.
These realities demonstrate that security remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting the state and should be acknowledged with honesty and urgency.
OUR CALL
Benue Transparency Watch therefore calls on Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia to publish a comprehensive performance report detailing every project referenced during his briefing before the Presidential State House Press Corps. Such a report should include project locations, contract values, contractors, funding sources, completion status, timelines, and independent monitoring reports.
Public office demands accountability, and public confidence is strengthened when official claims are supported by verifiable evidence.
Using the Presidential State House Press Corps as a platform to project a narrative that many citizens believe does not accurately reflect conditions on the ground is deeply disappointing. Government communication should inspire confidence through openness, honesty, and factual reporting.
Our position is not to dismiss genuine achievements where they exist. Rather, we insist that public communication must faithfully reflect reality and withstand public scrutiny.
Benue people deserve honest leadership, transparent governance, responsible management of public resources, and measurable development that can be independently verified.