The Benue State Development Plan (BSDP) 2025-2034 which is Gov. Alia’s ten-year vision for redefining Benue State, is a systematic and fully developed strategy that furnishes with all the details on how the administration intends to develop the state.
In addition to the seven (7) Pillars of Development viz: security of lives and property, agriculture and rural development, commerce and industry, human capital development, infrastructure development and environment, ICT and political and economic governance laid out as the broad framework upon which the state will pursue its development agenda, BSDP 2025-2034 has also details more specific sectors of focus all of which will have a direct bearing on the lives and wellbeing of the people of the State.
Some of these key sectors of focus include:
1. Health and Human Services
The Alia administration is aware that the health and human services sector is critical to human capital development, and the realization of Benue State’s full development potential.
It dictates the extent to which the state leverages its human resources and optimizes demographic dividends. The broad targets of the government for health and human services is to enhance the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of healthcare service delivery in the State.
2. Works, Housing, and Urban Development
The Alia administration knows that providing access to quality road transport is key to unleashing the development potential of Benue State. Good road networks will boost the status of the state as the Food Basket of the Nation and provide the agricultural value chain within the State.
The BSDP therefore focuses on the development of critical roads, housing, and infrastructure. The plans seek to develop and maintain a safe, efficient and sustainable road network that supports economic growth and social development.
3. Women Affairs and Social Development
Benue is a leading state in women’s empowerment and social development. The BSDP will enable the State to consolidate its gains and accelerate the development of women and other vulnerable groups. The broad objective of the Government in this sector, therefore, is to promote gender equality, protect the rights of women, children and the elderly, improve their health and wellbeing and enhance the economic opportunities and participation of women.
4. Youths, Sports and the Creative Industry
Benue State has a young and youthful population. BSDP will harness the potential of the youth to optimize demographic dividends. It aims to enhance the physical, emotional and cognitive growth of the youth, empower them through inclusive and accessible opportunities in sports, promote creativity among the youth, leverage their exuberance to preserve cultural heritage, and promote their active participation in the overall development of the State.
5. Power and Renewable Energy
Benue State has huge potential for mini-grid and off-grid electricity from renewable and non-renewable sources. The BSDP will give direction for the State to harness its potential to bridge existing gaps in electricity supply and to meet the requirements for accelerated economic growth and social development. It sets a
broad objective of ensuring reliable, efficient, and sustainable electricity supply to power economic growth, social
development, and improve the quality of life for all citizens in Benue State.
6. Science, Technology and Innovation
Governor Alia’s administration will increase investments in building a robust foundation for science, technology, and innovation. It will establish Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Incubation Centres in each senatorial zone to support the development of new ideas, inventions, and solutions through technical guidance,
mentoring, and networking. Other initiatives include upgrading and
equipping science research laboratories, renovating classrooms in 12 science and technical colleges and the BEST Centre, enhancing the capacity of 190 science and
technology teachers and 80 managers of incubation centres and hubs, introducing a Young Science and Technology Cadets’
initiative in primary and secondary schools in the state to promote engagement in science and technology programmes among students, and installing a 100 MW solar mini-grid in each of the three senatorial districts.
7. Transportation
Transportation has a catalytic effect on almost all sectors of the economy and human endeavour and serves as a major source of employment opportunities and
means of livelihood. The broad objective of the Government in the medium-term plan from 2025-2029 is to develop a safe,
efficient, and sustainable transportation system that will support economic growth, social development, and environmental protection in Benue State.
8. Justice and Public Order
The justice system creates the foundation for economic development and the general well-being of citizens by defending the rule of law, ensuring access
to justice, maintaining peace and order, and protecting human rights. This Plan, therefore, targets to construct a strong and effective justice system, which is essential
for creating a stable and prosperous society where individuals and corporate
organisations can live and operate
peacefully and orderly. The strategies to be adopted to achieve this objective include developing infrastructure,
providing adequate modern equipment to enhance professionalism and the quality
of legal services, building the capacity of legal officers and support staff, reviewing
obsolete laws to align with current realities and international best practices, increasing access to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, strengthening
collaboration with the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, and correctional institutions, and institutionalising effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
9.Financial and Fiscal Sustainability
Financial capacity and fiscal sustainability are crucial for achieving the vision set out in this plan by creating a secured economic climate that supports expansion and development. The relevance includes boosting revenue generation, strengthening public financial management, ensuring debt sustainability and promoting transparency and accountability. The plan seeks to accelerate internally generated revenue (IGR) to support enduring development and ensure efficient, effective, and sustainable public expenditure management for optimal service delivery.
Sir Tersoo Kula, MNIPR
Chief Press Secretary, Government House, Makurdi.
