By Danlami Nmodu
Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, has been embarking economic projects and initiatives unknown to people outside the state.Some of them are already yielding tangible fruits endearing him to the masses.
Newsdiaryonline reports that industrial complexes are being built to serve the needs of the people in the state and beyond.They include factories for brewering beer and fruit juices of various types.
For instance, the ZEVA beer factory is meant to serve the growing state and regional needs.Oficials revealed that the state could rake in N1.8bn sales monthly. Work on this has progressed and the ZEVA beer samples were available for visitors to taste.
More intriguing are the fruit factories.These are meant to harness the huge potential of the state in fruits such oranges, tomatoes, and possibly also for processing yam tubers.These factories have the capacity to process these add value to them.
The fruit factories under construction are set to be launched February 28, 2026 according to officials who guided the media executives on a tour of the facilities.
Even more, health sector has received massive boost with the upgrade of facilities at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital: structures radiology facilities and even the special needs section for Special Children among others have been given a face lift.Those who spoke said the facilities which had been moribund were indeed rehabilitated.
These are clear legacy projects that will transform the economic fortunes of the state immediately and continue beyond Alia’s tenure if sustained.One observer called the developments a silent revolution.
Surely the factories and bakery in Makurdi as well as the revived printing press will generate employment, boost economic activities and reduce criminality.Equally worthy of note, is the fashion hub where youths from all parts of the state are trained to further train those in their zones.The hub is a site to behold with assorted sewing machines and related facility inside the massive structure.The fashion hub was established in collaboration with the Federal Government officials said.
The governor has also embarked in road projects in Makurdi like the famous underpass among others.Street lights have not only beautified the capital but it has enhanced security for “Okada” riders who are now strong allies of Alia.They were victims of several cases of robbery before Alia came to the rescue.
Even the education sector has been given a new lease of life.Primary schools are being reshaped with ‘Yes Fada‘ structures while more teachers are being engaged.Pupils at one of the school premises visited seemed happy with the new environment.
Alia’s welfare programmes especially prompt payment of worker’s salaries have earned him the name Mr. 25th.And labour unions in the state eulogize him for this.
Testimonies about his performance were given by youth, Okada, women , Labour and traditional leaders who spoke at a townhall meeting on Friday Jabuary 23, in Makurdi.
Clearly, the narrative that Alia is not working is false: those who spoke at the event said so pointedly.
A very sobering reflection was made by a Labour leader who said prior to Alia’s emergence and prompt payment of workers salaries, Benue labour leaders were often looked at with pity, perhaps scorn by their colleagues at meetings outside the state .But all that has changed as they are now received with respect among their peers, all thanks to Alia’s workers’ welfare initiatives, the man said.
Despite all this, the Governor did not ignore what has repeatedly been described as the elephant in the room: the insecurity that has ravaged the state, attracting local and international headlines.Routine attacks happened in the state culminating in the recent Yelwata killings.
Alia told his guests at the town hall meeting that indeed, insecurity was real in the state when he took over. At that nine local governments were affected, but it was reduced to six.However as his his government forged a synergy with the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu to check the attacks.He praised the efforts of the security chiefs and armed forces.Now, the Governor said, the number of embattled local governments has been reduced to three and efforts are ongoing from various angles to curtail insecurity.He hailed President Tinubu and his wife, Remi for their visits to the state.
As the governor spoke, the women in the all at Government House applauded.Mention must must be made of two key issues:The government’s deliberate focus on production of bread to be sold at cheaper price to the people, especially women.Many women troop to the bakery to buy bread early in the morning. This revelation, instantly attracted affirmative applause from the women.
The most dramatic incident during the townhall meeting came when a representative of the Okada riders spoke.He not only commend the governor for ensuring their safety, but pledged to raise funds to pay for Alia’s second term nomination form.When an official asked if he knew how much nomination forms costs, he replied asking matter-of-factly, if the official who seemed stunned, knew their numerical strength.
As far as all those spoke were concerned, ‘Alia has done well” a point reiterated by the cleric who also prayed that the next governor after Alia should be a clergyman.