Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has disclosed that his administration has so far borrowed only N10 billion.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service at the Power House of Solution Chapel Gboko, he stated that even the N5.5 billion approved by the State House of Assembly for counterpart funding with development partners was yet to be accessed adding that it may be available in the next few days.
He said N3.2 billion out of that amount would be matched with the same figure provided by the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, for infrastructure in primary schools while the rest would be committed to projects by other development partners in various sectors.
The Governor stated that the loan was used for the payment of salaries for two months, release of funds for take off of government, and accreditation of College of Health Sciences of the Benue State University.
He said it was also committed to ongoing renovation at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Makurdi, for reaccreditation as well as provision of laboratories at the College of Agriculture Yandev and Agriculture Training Centres at Mbatie and Otobi.
According to him the N28 billion Central Bank of Nigeria loan facility was a bailout arrangement for 24 states including Benue, which were owing salary arrears adding that it was to be obtained at a single digit interest while repayment was spread over 20 years.
He assured the people of the state that he would be transparent and judicious in the use of public funds and reiterated his commitment to zero tolerance for corruption.
Governor Ortom enjoined the people to donate generously for God's work so that they could have his promise of give and it shall be given to you fulfilled in their lives.
Other dignitaries at the service included Senator George Akume, represented by his wife Regina, Senator Barnabas Gemade, represented by Mike Kondoun, former Attorney General, Mike Aondoakaa, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Terkimbi Ikyange, State Police Commissioner, Dibai Yakadi and members of the state executive council
By Tahav Agerzua
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