Vested interests resisting our reforms, says Benue gov

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has revealed that influential interests benefiting from the 'old status quo' are resisting his administration's efforts to implement reforms and infrastructure projects across the state. At a media parley marking the conclusion of a three-day nationwide media tour led by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Alia explained that his administration has adopted a 30-year master development plan to ensure reforms continue beyond his term and are not affected by changes in leadership.

He noted that reforms have met resistance from those who have enjoyed the status quo, who argue that infrastructure investment would not benefit ordinary citizens. Alia emphasized the need for a long-term development framework that outlasts individual administrations and interest groups invested in maintaining dysfunction in Benue.

Comparing his approach to Lagos State's successful master plan under President Bola Tinubu, Alia highlighted the importance of foundational sectors such as roads, healthcare, and education being durably fixed to allow subsequent administrations to build on solid ground. He also addressed concerns about the sustainability of newly completed projects like the revived Taraku Mills factory and the Oju-Awajir road, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and community ownership to prevent abandonment after his tenure.