The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr. Sam Ode, has congratulated the Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia on the recent Fitch Ratings upgrade for the state. The upgrade saw the state’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating rise from ‘B-‘ to ‘B’, and the National Long-Term Rating improve from ‘A-(nga)’ to ‘A(nga)’ with a Stable Outlook.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Ior Ikyereve, Dr. Ode said, “This achievement is a testament to Governor Alia’s pragmatic and visionary leadership, which has transformed Benue into a more resilient and attractive investment destination. Key indicators reflecting the strength and resilience of the state’s economy under Governor Alia’s stewardship have supported this notable feat.”
According to the statement, Dr. Ode acknowledged a commendation from Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, Group Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), who attributed the upgrade to improved fiscal performance, efficient debt servicing, better management of federal allocation receivables, and rising microeconomic activity leading to inclusive governance.
Dr. Ode praised Governor Alia’s commitment to economic diversification and sectoral reforms, which have laid a solid foundation for sustainable development and enhanced investor confidence. He stated, “As Deputy Governor, I am proud to be part of this transformative journey. Governor Alia’s pragmatic leadership has elevated Benue to new heights.”
Dr. Ode further expressed his enthusiasm for continued collective efforts in steering Benue State toward greater prosperity, citing the current administration’s dedication to fiscal discipline, transparency, and inclusive growth as proof of the tangible impact of the Governor’s reforms and prudent economic policies.
