In a startling revelation, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has shed light on the untapped wealth of the state’s solid minerals and called for equitable benefits through the 13% derivation fund, a privilege enjoyed by other mineral-rich states.
Governor Alia made these remarks during a virtual meeting with the Benue diaspora community, organized by the Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA) and the Idoma Association in the United States. The aim was to provide insight into the government’s policies, security initiatives, and focus on sectors such as agriculture, mining, education, health, and infrastructure development.
Highlighting the potential of Benue’s mining sector, Governor Alia lamented the lack of coordination and vision in the past, which allowed illegal mining activities to thrive. He emphasized that his administration had uncovered the state’s vast mineral deposits since assuming office in May 2023, exposing previous underhand dealings that robbed Benue of its resources.
“It is only when we came in that we made the Benue people realize they have solid minerals. Is it that they never existed before we came in? No, they were there. But those who knew, those who were robbing us, came in there and carted away what they wanted,” the governor explained.
Governor Alia announced a moratorium on mining activities to clamp down on illegal operations, warning against traditional rulers engaging in unauthorized mining agreements. He vowed to hold accountable anyone colluding with foreign entities to exploit Benue’s resources without due process.
The governor’s call for Benue’s inclusion in the 13% derivation fund underscores his commitment to harnessing the state’s natural resources for sustainable development. This revelation signals a new era of transparency and accountability in the governance of Benue State’s extractive industry, aimed at fostering equitable wealth distribution and economic prosperity.
