Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Monday presented an appropriation bill of N605,506,704,066.16 for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.
The governor said the 2025 budget of N550 billion had recorded a performance level of 73.2 per cent as of November, amounting to N402.691 billion.
While providing a breakdown of the proposed 2026 appropriation bill, Governor Alia stated that N342.420 billion had been earmarked for capital expenditure.
According to him, the proposed recurrent expenditure stood at N281.086 billion.
He added that 3.68 per cent of the capital budget had been allocated to social protection.
In his presentation, Governor Alia said that 3.68 per cent of the capital budget was set aside to strengthen targeted support for elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and extremely vulnerable households.
“Our expectations are geared toward reaching at least 1,000 beneficiaries in each of the 276 wards to reduce unemployment,” he stated.
The governor further said that, upon assuming office in 2023, his administration inherited debts totalling N359.6 billion and had since reduced the figure by N68.9 billion.
He, however, noted that the government was anticipating challenges to the 2026 fiscal year budget.
DAILY POST reports that the appropriation bill is tagged, “Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth.”
