New administration, new discoveries

The great American Philosopher and Psychologist, William James, once said, the greatest discovery of his generation was that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes. This statement holds meaning because change does not just come easily, it requires conscious efforts.

We just have to open our eyes to the little details of new discoveries and think of how best we can possibly utilize these astonishing discoveries to effect a permanent change in our lives and societies.

We have had leadership in Benue State and they have actually made new discoveries in their respective regimes but the latest discovery brought by Governor Alia s administration has truly helped to shed more light on the twin concepts of governance and borrowing.

Government essentially borrows to enable higher spending without having to increase taxes. All the previous administrations in Benue State borrowed right in the very early days of their tenures, and they have made the people to believe that government cannot be ran in isolation without reference to borrowing.

In this present administration , however, Governor Alia has consciously initiated a general departure from the borrowing spree that characterized particularly the administration of his predecessor thus making the public to discover that borrowing is not inseparably tied to governance as they were made to believe.

For seven months and still running, Governor Alia has not borrowed a dime. Yet, projects are ongoing and salaries, pensions, and gratuities are being paid.

It is not really a priority to have zero government debt, but Governor Alia does not want the future generations to be burdened by debt from borrowing for expenditures that benefited people in the past but not them.

He is worried that investors, particularly business men and women may regard the huge debt profile of the state as a source of potential economic instability and their willingness to undertake investment in the state will be lessened.

Also, Governor Alia wants to bequeath to the future generations a state with stable economy. He understands that large debt will discourage expansion of economic activities because of the fear of high taxes in the future.

He first warned against unlawful taxations and illegal road blocks in the state. The Governor set up a committee to checkmate illegal mining and illegal logging. All these were done to guarantee a business friendly environment that will attract investors in the state.

A number of reasons ranging from the desire to accelerate capital spending to stabilizing the economy may compel Governor Alia to raise resources through borrowing, but any of such is not considered now.

We owe a special debt of appreciation to Governor Alia who now let loose a Benue that was tethered to numerous taxes and stupendous borrowings, yet the masses were left scorching miserably under the heat of non payment of salaries, pensions, and a depleted economy.

Governor Alia’s conscious efforts to cut down on wasteful spending is shown in many areas including his deliberate refusal to take a vacation to a foreign land just yet.

He is so committed to developing Benue State. Let us make conscious efforts to repudiate anything that will discourage us from supporting him. Let us keep praying for our Governor. He has come to save Benue.