Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue has commended the Federal Government for the release of N18 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria in support of state governments.
Ortom made the commendation on Friday during an interaction with Journalists at the Benue Peoples Government House, Makurdi.
The governor, who clarified that the money was not a grant but a loan, said it would assist most states in tackling some fundamental challenges of development.
Ortom said the Benue Executive Council (EXCO) would soon meet to prioritise the utilisation of the funds.
He disclosed that for a state that had been running a deficit budget, the money would support in critical areas like payment of salary arrears and to tackle infrastructure deficit.