By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –
The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has said the state is set to pay its workforce based on the numbers of days at work.
Governor Alia, who stated this at the weekend during a reception for members of the Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ) in Makurdi, said the move was to tackle truancy.
He noted that many workers from state to Local Government level absentee themselves from their stations only to reappear on the pay day, warning also that the attitude would no longer be tolerated.
On the issue of gratuity to retired worker in the state, the governor assured henceforth, retired workers will receive their gratuity four weeks after retirement.
In an effort to cushion the effect of the oil subsidy removal in the country, he said, “we have procured 100 buses for Benue links to improve services and relief the burden of transportation.
“I am focused in attracting new investment and resuscitating moribund companies in the state,“he said.
“What is required at a time such as this is a resourceful and visionary leadership committed to leveraging on abundant talents coupled with managing the limited resources to reposition and transform the lives and livelihoods of the people which is the hallmark of my administration’s blueprint and 7-point agenda”
Without disrupting the existing structure, I am genuinely committed to the transformation of Benue state, harnessing the abundance of untapped natural resources and vibrant youthful population and talents to actualize this Benue dream”, he added
He appreciated members of the media group for promoting and projecting the image and interest of the state government nationally and internationally.
“I have been informed of your efforts over the years on your modest contributions towards the actualisation of a better Benue.
“As you are aware, the challenges of development and transforming a state like Benue is daunting especially at this time.
On salaries and pension, he said government has consistently paid salaries and pension on 25th of every month to make lives easy for the citizens.
He urged the media group to use their skills to counter fake news and propaganda aimed at sabotaging his administration.
“This is why I call on all of us from Benue to join hands with my administration and also invite our friends to support this efforts to rebuild Benue,“he said.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Power and Transportation, Mr Omale Omale said that the buses on ground have been branded with the state transport company’s logo.
“They will be handed over to the management before the yuletide to ease transportation from Benue to any part of the country as well as the state.
“With this addition we will have a total of about 800 vehicles in the fleet of the company to ease transportation,” he said.
On his part, the President, Conference of Benue Journalists, Mr Emmanuel Anule commended the state government for all the projects embarked upon in the state.
He urged the governor to sustain the tempo and also not to waver in his prompt and timely payment of salaries to civil servants.
Anule urged him to intensify efforts in addressing security challenges in the state and the people displaced from the their ancestral homes.
Earlier, CBJ members led by the Commissioner for Power and Transportation, Mr Omale Omale embarked on some of the projects executed by Gov. Alia’s administration within six months in office.
Some of the projects toured include, Assembly Complex renovation, Benue Links buses bought by the government, Acresal Unit, Muhammadu Buhari mother and child hospital, 33kva power transmission line and renovation of secretariat gate, solar street light, renovation of Benue Links garage, ICT centre BSU, Teaching hospital gate and township roads.
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