Gov. Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday reviewed his one year in office and declared that he had stepped on many toes in the efforts to fulfil his social contract with the Benue people.
“Yes, I have stepped on many toes, but I have no regrets. I have no apology to anyone,” Alia declared in a speech to mark the nation’s Democracy Day in Makurdi.
He said he had no apology for protecting Benue resources from people that had, over the years, stunted Benue’s growth.
“I have no regret at all. Democracy is liberation and freedom for all, and not for selected few.
“In the course of governance, I have lost many things because of my decision to stand with the people and place their interests above the political elite. I have no regrets at all,” he said.
He said that those whose interests he stepped upon had showed him “nothing close to love”.
“As a government standing on a popular mandate, a government of the masses, I’m mindful of the honour and trust bestowed on me.
“For this, I have pushed sleep and comfort to the back seat to ensure that I live up to the expectations and terms of our social contract.
“Throughout this period, I have earned nothing close to love from those whose selfish interests I have step upon to bring you happiness, hope and succour. I have placed your interests above theirs. No regrets for what I have lost in the course of this journey.
“Democracy and what we celebrate this day is liberation and freedom for everyone. Benue was enslaved for years; today, Benue is free.
“Nigeria went through so many stages to arrive at this day. 25 solid years of uninterrupted democracy is no mean feat.
“I remain very grateful to President Bola Tinubu. I celebrate our freedom and celebrate the joys that democracy brings,” he said
Alia, however, emphasised that the anti-open grazing law would not be repealed.
“It will, rather, be strengthened,” he declared.
On his major achievements, he said that the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), had established a bakery, water and fertiliser firms to boost the economy and create jobs.
He said that his administration was going to resuscitate the Benue Breweries and Taraku Mills Ltd to also boost the economy and create jobs.
On infrastructure, he said that 51 road contracts, including two underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko, had been awarded.
According to him, the execution of the jobs have reached 85 per cent completion.
He said the ongoing remodeling of the State Secretariat and State House of Assembly Complex would soon be completed.
“In the coming weeks, the Benue Government will, again, award contracts for the construction of several roads spanning 400 kilometers roads.
“We also plan a flyover for Otukpo, the headquarters of Benue South Senatorial District.
“Plans are also underway to dredge River Benue to boost agricultural activities and ease movement of agricultural products,” he said.
In the area of transportation, he said his administration had purchased 100 buses for Benue Links, the state-owned transport company, to moderate the cost of transportation.
According to him, the Benue Links headquarters would also be upgraded to international standard as the government would soon build a bus terminal in Makurdi.
Alia said that with the support from the Office of the Vice President, the State was building an international fashion hub in Makurdi where more than 200 professionals would do business.
He said that the state had so far revitalised the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), upgraded it and employed more than 500 staffers for effective and efficient service delivery.
The governor said that his administration had also ensured regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, and had also commenced the payment of arrears. (NAN)
