Governor Alia Denies Awarding Underpass Road Contract For N44bn

Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia has debunked allegations on social media that the High Level Underpass Road being constructed by his administration was awarded for N44 billion.
The governor also refuted allegations of allocating 13.11 per cent of the state budget to Government House and described the claims as “lies from the pit of hell”.

He warned merchants of fake news to always verify their claims before making it publicly.
The governor, who spoke through the chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula described those peddling the baseless rumour as mischief makers who are out to tarnish his good image, saying that the contract cost stands at N6 billion and not N44 billion as being alleged.
Kula, who was reacting to the address by Benue National Assembly Caucus members led by Sen. Abba Moro, noted that issues raised by the caucus are false and remained a plot to set the people against the governor who meant well for them.

The governor lamented on while the national assembly caucus would descend so low to the point of quoting a fictional sum of N3 billion as monthly security votes for the state saying, the government is not against anyone or group for speaking on issues that affect the state, but such issues must be built on truth and free of lies and must not be aimed at instigating the people against the government.

According to him, “those spreading these rumors are enemies of the state who fabricate stories and sponsor some ready mischievous youths to propagate in cyberspace with a clear intention to generate hatred for the administration”.

He explained that the contract of the underpass met all the required procurement details, before it was approved and awarded to Bauhaus Global Investment Nigeria Limited on 23rd December, 2023, at the cost of N6 billion, describing the allegation of 44BN as laughable.

“The underpass contract followed the lay down rules and due process. The contract is one among the three special roads, to be constructed in Gboko and two others in Makurdi which were earmarked and captured in the 2024 budget appropriately,” he said.