Benue: Alia denies borrowing N226.8bn

The Benue State Government has denied a report that it borrowed N226.8bn from both domestic and external financiers, between the period of June and December, 2023.

According to the state government, the analysis according to the reporter, is based on the latest sub-national debt reports released by the Debts Management Office (DMO).

Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor in a statement said: “We want to state emphatically that, the government of Rev.Fr. Alia has not borrowed any money from either Domestic or External sources.

“All debts mentioned in the said report were incurred when the Governor Hyacinth Alia led administration took over on May 29th, 2023.

“Let it be known that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia is skeptical of borrowings, and will only do so when and if it becomes necessary and it is in the interest of the Benue people, especially to fund critical projects.

“We challenge the Punch Newspaper reporter to be more investigative in his reports, providing accurate facts, which is a key component of journalism practice.”