A pro-transparency group, Benue Good Governance Crusaders, has called on the Benue State House of Assembly to stop Governor Hyacinth Alia from allegedly taking over the state’s shares in Dangote Cement and to investigate the sale of other government-owned assets.
The group, in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its President, Felix Atetan, and Secretary, Peter Ameh, alleged that the governor had already sold Benue’s shares in Zenith Bank Plc and other companies worth N12 billion. They claimed he is now attempting to take over the Benue Cement Company (BCC), now Dangote Cement, under the pretense of reclaiming state entitlements.
According to the statement, Governor Alia, through the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), is demanding the allotment of 111,438,493 units of shares valued at N65.8 billion in Dangote Cement. However, the group alleges that this move is a ploy to transfer the shares to private entities linked to the governor, using the Benue State Government as a cover.
The group further alleged that the governor, with the assistance of his kinsman, Raymond Asemakaha, the Managing Director of BIPC, has been systematically selling off state-owned enterprises without following due process.
Among the state assets allegedly disposed of is the Benue Printing and Publishing Company (BPPC), which was sold to one of the governor’s associates.
The group also claimed that Governor Alia is in advanced discussions with a Lagos-based transport company to sell Benue Links Transport Company, the state’s only viable transport firm. They alleged that over 50 buses were acquired using palliative funds from the Federal Government and falsely presented as government-owned when they were actually meant for the governor’s private investment.
Other state-owned enterprises allegedly lined up for sale included:
Makurdi Modern Market
Taraku Mills
Mega Foods and Beverages Processing Company Ltd.
Benfruit Nig. Ltd.
Benkims Plastic Nig. Ltd.
Katsina Ala Yam Flour Factory
Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) Ltd.
Otukpo Burnt Bricks
Benue Roof Tiles Ltd.
In response to these allegations, the Benue Good Governance Crusaders issued the following demands:
1. Immediate halt to Governor Alia’s attempts to take over Dangote Cement and other state-owned assets.
2. Transparency in government transactions, particularly in the sale of Benue’s industries.
3. Summoning of Governor Alia and the Managing Director of BIPC by the Benue State House of Assembly to explain the alleged sales of government assets.
4. Public disclosure of all sales of state-owned enterprises conducted by the Alia administration.
5. Suspension of all further privatization of government assets until due process is followed and public consent is obtained.
6. Urgent investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the sale of Benue State’s government assets under Governor Alia’s administration.
The group warned that failure to act swiftly could lead to the complete privatization of Benue State’s economic assets, leaving the people without a stake in their own economy. They called on lawmakers, civil society organizations, and anti-corruption agencies to intervene before irreversible damage is done.
