Alia says s’court verdict places more burden on him to perform

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, says the supreme court judgment that affirmed his election is a victory for the people of the state.

Alia Spoke in Abuja on Friday after the meeting of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) with President Bola Tinubu at the State House.

On Monday, the apex court affirmed Alia as governor of Benue after dismissing the appeal filed by Titus Uba, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Benue governor vowed to live up to expectations and keep giving the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

He said his administration has already started some projects, including 16 roads that have been commissioned.

“I know it is a victory not just for me and as a person but for the great people of Benue state. The victory is sweet and it places more burdens on our output, both the input and output,” Alia said.

“Again, it simply implies that we have to get out there and do some more, let them feel the impact of what they are inspecting.

“We have already started a number of projects. We commissioned 16 roads. The remaining work is still on. We’re hoping that in the next month or two, all 16 roads shall have been completed.

“The earthmoving machinery is already in place for the underpass and the overpass, and then to go straight into the rural roads development. So these are the projects that we intend to do.”

Alia further said renovation of the state secretariat has commenced, adding that there are plans to reform the civil service of the state.

“Work is already ongoing as I am speaking here on the renovation of the 40-year-old state secretariat which has never been touched before. It was quite in a dilapidated state, so we are going to renovate it,” he added.

“We are working on reforming our civil service. Work has actually begun and we also have an institute specifically for that. On Wednesday, the state exco gave an approval for the institute to be established just to train and retrain civil servants.

“And I am happy there is an approval and work has already begun on that. So, plus all those that I have mentioned there are many more expectations from the folks.

“We appreciate the support, they continue to give. We are going to live up to the expectations and keep giving them the dividends of democracy.”