Alia Seeks Stronger Partnership with North-Central Development Commission

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has called for enhanced collaboration between the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC) and the state government to accelerate development and address key challenges facing the region.

The governor made the appeal on Wednesday in Makurdi while receiving the board and management of the commission, led by Cosmos Akighir and Dr Cyril Tseenyil, at the Old Banquet Hall.

Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity and ensuring that displaced persons return to their ancestral homes. He noted that while significant progress had been made in restoring peace across several local government areas, security challenges remained dynamic.

“Already, there is relative peace in other larger parts of the state. But security is like a monster. Cut the tail, and another part of the body will spring up. Cut the hand, and you see another part of the body developing to cause havoc,” Alia said.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that Benue residents can return to their communities safely, adding, “Most importantly, we are resolute that our people must go back to their ancestral homes. The people of Benue State deserve peace to continue to feed the nation.”

The governor identified agriculture, employment generation, and rural infrastructure as critical areas requiring the commission’s support. He explained that while his administration had prioritised rural development in this year’s budget, the years of neglect meant that additional support was necessary to achieve meaningful impact.

“Agriculture value chain must be on the front burner to create overreach on the demands. In our budget this year, we have prioritised rural development. But because these areas were neglected for a long time, no matter how much money you budget, it will not be easy to have an immediate impact, hence the need for support from your commission,” he stated.

Governor Alia also advised the commission’s leadership to maintain an apolitical approach in carrying out its mandate, warning that allowing political considerations to influence its operations could undermine its core objectives.

The visit underscores the growing recognition of the need for federal agencies and state governments to work closely in addressing developmental challenges in the North-Central region.