Gov Alia reveals why Benue State accounts will remain frozen

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has clarified that his administration made the decision to freeze the state’s accounts in order to prevent further looting of the state treasury. He explained this during his first meeting with media practitioners in the state, which was held at the new banquet hall of the Government House in Makurdi.

The state government had previously revealed that some senior workers in the state were found to be receiving salaries from three different sources: the state, local government, and the State Universal Basic Education Board.

When asked about the reason for the continued closure of the state accounts, the Catholic priest-turned-politician justified his decision, stating that there are still unscrupulous individuals, whom he referred to as “hyenas and hawks,” lurking around seeking opportunities to exploit the state’s funds.

Governor Alia firmly defended his action, stating that he believes freezing the accounts was the right course of action considering the circumstances. He expressed concern about potential landmines that have been set in various government parastatals, ministries, and agencies, implying that there may be hidden corruption and financial mismanagement.

The governor highlighted that his administration is closely scrutinizing the financial situation of each entity under the state government’s purview. He further asserted that while the freeze remains in effect, any government parastatal in genuine need of funds can submit a request to the appropriate authorities, and it will be considered and addressed accordingly. This cautious approach to unfreezing the accounts aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper utilization of the state’s financial resources.