Benue State Government Allocates N706 Million For Honorarium And Sitting Allowances, N2.2 Million For Water Facility Rehabilitation

Benue State Government Allocates N706 Million For Honorarium And Sitting Allowances, N2.2 Million For Water Facility RehabilitationA review of Benue State’s budget performance by SaharaReporters has revealed that the state spent N706 million on honorarium and sitting allowances between January and September 2024. This amount is roughly equivalent to the state’s budget for building 529 boreholes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The state’s budget performance document shows that N4 million is allocated for the construction of three boreholes, which means each borehole is budgeted at N1.33 million. In comparison, the N706 million spent on allowances could have funded the construction of 529 boreholes, addressing some of the state’s critical water needs.

As of 2024, it is reported that 80% of households in Benue lack access to clean drinking water. The state has faced significant water scarcity issues, with residents often resorting to digging shallow pits to access contaminated water. In July 2024, the state recorded 16 suspected cases of cholera, resulting in four deaths, and by October, a cholera outbreak killed 11 people in just four days, with many others critically ill.

Despite these challenges, the state government allocated only N2.2 million for the rehabilitation and repair of water facilities. Meanwhile, N10.4 million was set aside for the rehabilitation of hospitals and health centers. The capital expenditure for the Ministry of Water Resources was only N117 million, with just N7 million going to the Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency. Alarmingly, no funds were allocated for capital expenditure under the Benue State Primary Healthcare Board.

These spending priorities come amid growing calls for greater fiscal responsibility and better management of state resources. The figures reflect a concerning imbalance between the state’s immediate needs—particularly in the water and healthcare sectors—and its expenditure on allowances.

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