Benue state debt rises to N122Billion, as Governor Alia spends N706 million on honoraries, sitting grants

This is an increase in the N115.8 billion owed from September 2024, which indicates that the state’s debt increased by about N7bn between October and December 2024. A Saharan Porters’ review of the newly released government debt data by the debt management office shows that the Benue State is owed N122.5bilion of the end of 2024. These markets are an increase in the N115.8Billion. of September 2024, indicating that the state’s debt increased by about N7bn between October and December 2024. As a result, Benue -State is as the eighth debt that was the greatest debt at the end of 2024. On the foreign debt front, Benue State owes $ 25,573 million from December 2024, which served the N7 billion dollars. In 2024, which emphasizes the significant impact of its high debt portfolio on the available revenue for state operations. Despite its debt burden, a Saharan Portions Review of the Benue States’ budget performance shows that the state spent N706 million on honoraries and seat grants between January and September 2024. This amount is equivalent to the budget assigned for the construction of 529 boreholes. This dependence on loans is not unique to Benue -State. Saharan Porters previously reported that a review of the newly released government debt portfolio showed that the foreign debt of Bauchi state grew from $ 185.2 million by the end of December 2024. On the domestic front, Bauchi State’s debt stood on N145.2 billion in September 2024, but dropped slightly to N143.9 billion by the end of the year, which was a reduction of N1.3 billion. Despite this decline, the state remains the fifth thousandth domestic in 2024. Despite its rising debt profile, the 2025 budget approved for Bauchi state contains several controversial assignments. The House of Assembly earmarked N132 million for the purchase of 32 chairs and 32 tables, with each item costing N2 million. This has expressed concern about financial mismanagement, especially given the economic challenges of the state. The budget also contains N440 million for 20 motor vehicles designated for chief officers, which amounts to N22 million per vehicle. In addition, two 32-seat Toyota buses are expected to cost the state N118 million-N59 million each. Another N16.8 million is allocated for seven laptops, with an average of N2.4 million per unit. In the speaker and deputy speaker offices, N10 million was set aside for a single photoopie machine, while N132 million was budgeted for six scanners, placing the cost per scanner on N22 million.