Ortom challenges Alia to account for ₦1.2trn FAAC inflows

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has challenged Governor Hyacinth Alia to explain how the state and its 23 local government areas spent about ₦1.2 trillion received from the Federation Account since 2023.

Ortom made the demand through his former media adviser, Terver Akase, at a news conference in Makurdi.

Akase said the funds became available to Benue following the removal of the petrol subsidy and that residents deserved a clear account of how the money had been used.

He accused the Alia administration of avoiding questions about the state’s increased federal allocations.

“Since assuming office in 2023, Governor Alia has enjoyed unprecedented financial inflows from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, following the removal of fuel subsidy, yet neither he nor his aides have provided Benue people with a comprehensive account of how those enormous resources have been utilised,” Akase said.

He added that the administration had failed to explain the total amount received by the state and local governments or identify the projects executed with the funds.

“Alia’s government and that of the 23 local government areas got about ₦1.2 trillion from FAAC from 2023 till date. What projects have been executed with those resources? Why are local government areas across the state bereft of visible government presence despite the unprecedented revenue inflows?” he asked.

Akase alleged that the questions had pushed the government towards what he described as “propaganda over performance.”

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, however, dismissed the criticism and defended Alia’s performance.

Kula said higher federal revenue did not automatically translate into unlimited funds for state governments, arguing that Benue had also faced inflation, insecurity and rising construction costs.

“It has become imperative to state clearly that increased federal revenue does not automatically translate into unlimited resources for state governments,” he said.

The governor’s aide accused the former administration of frequently citing lack of funds as an excuse for poor performance.

He said assessing Alia’s government solely on FAAC inflows without considering the rising cost of governance and development was “a deliberately incomplete way of assessing the performance of any government.”

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