By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State House of Assembly has granted approval to enable Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom access over N11.6 billion loan facility from the bank.
The approval was sequel to correspondence from Governor Samuel Ortom to the House which was read by the Speaker, Mr Titus Uba at plenary.
According to Ortom, the loan facility is to finance counterpart funds obligation, infrastructure development and other needs of Government.
The Governor explained that, due to the inability of the state government to access the fourty billion naira bond which was approved by the house for the same purpose but which Government was unable to access it, Government has sought for another alternative way to enable it continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
Ortom noted that security challenge and Covid-19 pandemic as well as lack of appreciable improvement in the average monthly statutory allocation from the Federation Account to the state have hindered Government from financing capital and recurrent obligation.
The Speaker, Mr Uba put the question of approval before the members and they unanimously agreed through voice vote.