Benue Govt earmarks over 194bn for infrastructure, agriculture in 2025

From Attah Ede Makurdi 

Benue State Government on Wednesday, said  it would spend N110,022,597,786.08 on infrastructure and N84,081,754,982.67 on agriculture and food security respectively in 2025.

The Director General, State  Budget Planning Commission, Jerome Andohol stated this during the breakdown of  2025 budget, tagged “Budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security and Digital Economy.”

He explained that  the 2025 budget was prepared to accommodates Vulnerable, Unemployed, and Nano Businesses.

Andohol maintained that the budget also provides for the construction of Skills Acquisition Centres in 3 senatorial zones for 600 female IDPs, completion of a 360-capacity conference hall at SEMA, and relocation of IDPs with livelihood support through agriculture.

He noted that the total budget for the 2025 fiscal year was estimated at ₦550.1 billion.

He said the budget breakdown showed that recurrent expenditure will gulp ₦192.5 billion, while capital expenditure will take ₦357.6 billion.

The director general noted that Sectoral Allocation from budget estimate included Infrastructure ₦110 billion (20%), Education & Knowledge Management ₦82.5 billion (15%), Health & Human Services ₦82.5 billion (15%), Agriculture & Food Security ₦84.1 billion (15.28%), Security ₦46.9 billion (8.52%), Law & Order ₦26.7 billion (4.8%), Digital Economy ₦18.7 billion (3.4%), and Commerce ₦58.7 billion (10.63%)

The budget funding  sources according to him, (Andohol) will include ₦430.3 billion from the Federation Account, ₦35.6 billion from Independent Revenue (IGR), and ₦84.2 billion from Aids and Grants, and Capital Development Fund Receipts.

“Some of the key projects highlighted in the budget include the construction of the Faculty of Engineering at Benue State University, upgrade of secondary and technical colleges, and rehabilitation of medical facilities.

“The budget includes initiatives such as “Alia Cares” for vulnerable, unemployed, and nano businesses, establishment of 12 markets in the 3 senatorial zones, and upgrading of the Makurdi Modern Market and the Abattoir in North Bank.

“The agricultural sector receives ₦84.08 billion (15.28% of the budget), focusing on construction of feeder roads, rural access, and agricultural marketing, as well as provision of agricultural inputs and training for farmers while the budget allocates ₦110 billion (20% of the budget) for construction of rural and urban roads, completion of water schemes, renovation of government buildings, and construction of new governor’s complex and legacy buildings.

“The budget also includes establishment of technical and innovation hubs, operation light up Benue State, and enhancing power distribution across the state. It also provides for purchase of vehicles and security gadgets for “Anyam Nyor” and support of other security agencies, as well as recruitment and training of “Anyam Nyor” security personnel.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula while speaking at the occasion said Governor Alia emphasized the importance of staying within the limits of recurring revenue to build a sustainable future for Benue State.