According to budget performance document released by the state, it plans to spend N4million on three boreholes.
A SaharaReporters' review of the Benue State budget performance document has shown that the state spent N706million on honorarium and sitting allowances between January and September, 2024.
This money is equivalent to what the state budgeted to build 529 boreholes.
According to budget performance document released by the state, it plans to spend N4million on three boreholes.
This would mean that each borehole is budgeted to cost N1.33 million.
This would also mean that the N706 million spent can be used to construct 529 boreholes.
Already 80% of households in Benue state are said to lack access to clean drinking water.
As of July 2024, sixteen suspected cases of Cholera were said to have been recorded in Benue State with four deaths.
In October 2024, it was reported that Cholera outbreak killed eleven persons in four days with others critically ill.
Earlier this year also, it was reported that water scarcity hit Benue State capital, Makurdi.
Reports had also chronicled how Benue residents dig shallow pits to get dirty drinking water.
While the state spent N706 million on Honorarium and Sitting allowances, it spent only N2.2million on rehabilitation/repairs of water facilities, rehabilitation and repairs of hospitals/health centres took only N10.4million.
Only N117million was spent on the capital expenditure of the ministry of water resources with only N7 million going to the capital expenditure of the Benue State rural water supply and sanitation agency from this.
Zero Naira was spent on the capital expenditure of the Benue State Primary Healthcare Board.
This development comes amid calls for prudence in the management of state resources.