Benue Governor Alia Faces Resistance to Reforms

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia revealed that his administration is encountering resistance from influential groups benefiting from the existing status quo as it seeks to implement reforms and infrastructure projects. During a media parley at the Government House in Makurdi on Friday, Alia stated that this resistance has led to the initiation of a 30-year master development plan aimed at ensuring that ongoing reforms persist beyond his tenure.

He criticized previous administrations for not having a structured development master plan and for acting on unfiltered constituent demands rather than assessing actual developmental needs. Alia emphasized the importance of understanding the needs of ordinary citizens, such as market women and farmers, to elevate Benue from its current status.

He cited Lagos State's transformation under a master plan initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an inspiration for his long-term planning approach, asserting that such frameworks can outlast any single administration.