Alia Affirms Local Government Autonomy in Benue State

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State defended the autonomy of local governments, asserting that the third tier of government is functioning effectively in the state. He dismissed any insinuations that local government and judicial autonomy undermine state authority, insisting that Benue remains fully compliant with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Alia described local government autonomy as sacrosanct, stating that local councils enjoy full autonomy to execute projects while the state government focuses on supervision and accountability. He praised the economic reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu, which aim to strengthen the state's finances, improve security, and revitalize infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare.

Alia expressed confidence that the current administration would continue to deepen reform initiatives, positioning Benue as a significant beneficiary of these developments. He also mentioned the establishment of a state police and enhanced intelligence gathering to improve security and facilitate the return of internally displaced persons to their communities.