By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has presented to the Benue State House of Assembly the 2025 budget estimates of Five Hundred and Fifty billion, one hundred and twelve million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Naira, Forty-five Kobo (N550, 112, 988, 930, 45).
Christened “Budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security and Digital Economy”, the Governor stated that the proposed budget is designed to ensure continued progress, prosperity and well-being of Benue citizens.
“The 2025 budget will serve as a roadmap for a brighter, more sustainable future, with a bold and ambitious plan, grounded in the realities of the present times and in the aspirations of the people.”
Infrastructure development has been accorded topmost priority in the budget with the sum of N110, 022, 597, 786. 09, representing 20 percent, followed by agriculture which has a proposed budget of N84, 081, 754, 982. 67 representing 15.28 percent while education and health sectors each has a budget proposal of N82, 516, 948, 339. 57, representing 15 percent.
The Governor pointed out that 0.93 percent of the budget will address programs aimed at improving social protection, such as unemployment benefits, housing and poverty alleviation initiatives, while also evolving strategies for the three Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) partways, which includes; Resettlement, Relocation and Returnees.
“Further more, Sports, Youth Development and Creativity being an integral part of our development efforts will be funded from the 0.93 of the total budget. It is also the intent of the budget to empower businesses and startups to thrive. We will implement programs to provide financial support, training and mentorship to entrepreneurs with 10.68 percent of the 2025 proposed budget”, says the governor.
