Hey there, middle schoolers! Today, we’re going to talk about something serious happening in Benue State. The governor, Hyacinth Alia, recently revealed that the state is in a lot of debt. In fact, they owe a whopping N359 billion! That’s a huge amount of money, especially for a state.

Before Governor Alia took office, his predecessor, Samuel Ortom, said that the state’s debt was only N187.7 billion. But now, Governor Alia is saying it’s actually much higher. Can you believe that? It’s like finding out you owe twice as much money as you thought!

This massive debt is causing a lot of problems for Benue State. Governor Alia said it’s like carrying a heavy burden that’s too much to bear. Imagine trying to walk with a backpack filled with rocks. It would slow you down and make everything harder, right? Well, that’s what this debt is doing to the state.

But don’t worry, Governor Alia is determined to fix this mess. He wants to save the state from being in debt and make things better for the people. He said that his administration is committed to taking action and finding solutions.

One of the things Governor Alia has already done is make sure that workers in Benue State get paid on time. That’s really important because everyone deserves to receive their salary when they’re supposed to. He also mentioned that pensioners, who are retired workers, were sometimes forgotten in the past, but now they are being taken care of.

Governor Alia also had some advice for the people of Benue State. He wants them to invest in farming because the state has a big advantage in that area. Did you know that Benue State is one of the largest producers of cassava and yams in the whole country? That’s pretty cool!

So, he’s encouraging everyone to take advantage of this and start farming. It’s a great way to make money and help the state grow. Plus, it’s always good to know where our food comes from, right?

In conclusion, Benue State is facing a huge debt problem. But Governor Alia is determined to fix it and make things better for the people. He wants to save the state from this heavy burden and ensure that everyone gets paid on time. He’s also encouraging people to invest in farming, which is a big industry in the state.

Let’s hope that Governor Alia’s efforts pay off and Benue State can overcome this debt and thrive once again!