Benue assembly approves N6.6bn for conduct of LGA polls

The Benue house of assembly has approved N6.644 billion for the conduct of the LGA elections in the state.

The LGA elections in Benue will be conducted on October 5.

The house approved the budget during the plenary session presided over by Aondona Dajoh, the speaker.

Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue, requested approval for the fund in a letter titled ‘Submission of 2024 supplementary budget estimates of N6,644,778,900 for the conduct of local government elections in fiscal year 2024”.

The lawmakers approved the supplementary budget in a unanimous vote.

Tersoo Kula, the spokesperson to Alia, said the Benue State Electoral Commission will use the fund for logistics and the conduct of the elections.

“The state independent electoral commission is established to conduct LGA elections, and when our administration came in, we saw there was a need for operational vehicles and to furnish their offices,” Kula told TheCable.

“The former governor carted away all the official vehicles in the state when he was leaving office. The state has no operational vehicles in all 23 LGAs. The SIEC chairman, secretary, and other commissioners have no cars.

“So, this money covers all these logistics in the 23 LGAs. It is also to cover the printing of materials, the escorts, and the paying of ad hoc staff.

“We know the reality of the country, so we cannot pay them a meager amount.”