The Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, 𝙍𝙚𝙫. 𝙁𝙧. 𝘿𝙧. 𝙃𝙮𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙝 𝙄𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙢 𝘼𝙡𝙞𝙖 has charged members of the Benue State Steering Committee on the Social Investment Programme to work towards eliminating extreme poverty among the people of the state.
The Governor gave the charge while inaugurating the Steering Committee/Governing Board of the Benue State Social Investment Programme Agency (B-SIPA) at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi.
Governor Alia who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Deaconess Deborah Abe, Esq. urged the Committee to evolve policies, activities and programmes in line with his administration’s goal of mitigating the sufferings of Benue people and reduce social inequalities and vulnerabilities in the state.
He explained that his decision to establish the Benue State Social Investment Agency is hinged on a desire to offer hope to the people of the state who are struggling to make ends meet in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy and the attendant rising cost of living.
According to the Governor “We want our people to know that we care about them and their welfare remains top priority of my administration. The Benue State Social Investment Programme Agency will be structured and positioned to provide social safety nets for all citizens- women, youth, children, persons with disabilities and the poorest of the poor”.
Earlier in her speech, the Director General of the Benue State Social Investment and State Focal Person of the National Social Investment Programme, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. (𝐌𝐫𝐬.) 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐨 𝐈𝐲𝐨 explained that the Social Investment Programme is a deliberate interventionist initiative of the federal and state governments designed to tackle the significant challenge of poverty engulfing the nation.
Hon. Iyo noted that through the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfer and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, over 100,000 thousand Benue indigenes have been assisted to improve their living conditions.
The Director General who announced plans by the Agency to launch a revolving loan scheme for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state and expand the Home Grown School Feeding Programme currently feeding pupils in primary classes 1-3 to cover pupils in primary 4-6 as well as the roll-out of a cash transfer scheme of N10,000 monthly to 5000 indigent, elderly, widowed and persons with special needs in the State, urged members of the steering committee to deploy their technical acumen and expertise in ensuring that the programme impacts positively on Benue citizens.
She further disclosed that her office was putting together a youth empowerment initiative to train 6000 youths in Baking and Confectionary, Bag Making, Shoe Making, Tailoring, Handset Repair, Aluminium work, Welding, Cooking & Catering, Electrical Work, Plumbing, Vulcanizing, Soap Making, Make-up & Beauty therapy, Photography and Decoration.
Speaking on behalf of other members of the committee, the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ortese Ayatse, represented by the Ter Makurdi, Chief Vincent Aule commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia for according priority to the welfare of citizens through the social investment programme and pledge the willingness of members to support the government to deliver on the objectives of the programme.
The steering committee which is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government has its membership drawn from members of the State Executive Council, other top government officials and the traditional institution showcasing the high premium government places on using social investment as a tool for guaranteeing a better life for citizens.
