Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, has assured investors that the state is now safe and conducive for investment, saying his administration has taken steps to address the security challenges, infrastructural deficit and the debt burden that have plagued the state for years.
The governor stated that the state has witnessed increase in both local and foreign investments, following the return of peace to the state and his administration efforts towards creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
At a meeting with journalists, Alia beckoned on investors to take advantage of the opportunities that abound in the state, especially in the areas of agriculture, tourism and mineral resources and make the state a preferred investment destination.
In the area of transport, the governor said that his administration has procured 100 new buses for the state-owned transport company, Benue Links, to improve services and ease the burden of transportation following the removal of fuel subsidy.
He said his administration is also paying keen interest to people oriented projects while prioritising agriculture, human capital development, health and infrastructure upgrade among others in line with his administration’s seven-point agenda.
The governor also outlined other key project implementation among which he said was the establishment of modern ICT centre at the Benue State University, prompt payment of salaries and gratuities, construction of township roads, provision of health facilities, capacity building among others.
He said, “There’s relative peace now in Benue for investors to come. I am focused in attracting new investments and resuscitating moribund companies, I have flagged off operation ‘Enduring Peace III’, a military exercise by formations in the state to enhance unity and security.
“What is required at a time such as this is a resourceful and visionary leadership committed to leveraging on abundant talents coupled with managing the limited resources to reposition and transform the lives and livelihoods of the people which is the hallmark of my administration’s blueprint and 7-point agenda.
“Without disrupting the existing structures, I am genuinely committed to the transformation of Benue State, harnessing the abundance of untapped natural resources and vibrant youthful population and talents to actualise this Benue dream,” he said.
