The speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Alfred Emberga, has hailed Governor Hyacinth Alia for his pragmatic leadership.

Mr Emberga’s commendation was conveyed in his Democracy Day message issued by the chief press secretary to the speaker, Zape Upaa, on Friday in Makurdi.

He noted that the governor had demonstrated visionary leadership through policies and programmes focused on improving citizens’ welfare and strengthening democratic institutions at the state and local government levels.

The speaker said that Mr Alia’s administration made significant strides in infrastructure by constructing and rehabilitating roads, bridges, schools, healthcare facilities, and other public assets to raise living standards.

Mr Emberga also rated Mr Alia highly in the education sector, citing the renovation of schools, the recruitment of teachers, the payment of students’ examination fees, and other measures to improve the quality of learning statewide.

The speaker said that the governor’s health interventions were also commendable and cited the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, the provision of medical equipment, and policies designed to expand access to affordable healthcare for rural communities.

He commended Mr Alia for supporting programmes, strategic partnerships, and investment initiatives in agriculture, which had boosted food production and strengthened farmers’ livelihoods, thereby repositioning farming in the state.

He further applauded the governor’s efforts in security, social welfare, youth empowerment, women’s inclusion, and economic development, saying that these initiatives had restored public confidence and expanded the dividends of democracy for communities.

He said that the achievements he recorded demonstrated the practical benefits of democratic governance and justified Benue’s celebration of Democracy Day.

He disclosed that, during the third legislative session, first sitting, from July 8 to October 9, 2025, the house received 20 bills, referred 6 to committees, and passed 14.

He further disclosed that 16 committee reports were submitted, 15 were debated exhaustively, and one was pending.

He said that members also undertook five official travels for capacity building and participated in two training programmes to improve legislative effectiveness.

He stated that the cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature had boosted policy implementation, institutional stability, and democratic governance in Benue State and reaffirmed the 10th assembly’s commitment to quality lawmaking and oversight.

He urged citizens to support democratic institutions and Mr Alia’s administration by embracing peace, unity, accountability, and active participation in governance. 

(NAN)