From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has promised to commence payment of salaries to state civil servants beginning from June 25.
The Governor has also assured the people of the state that his administration is not on a witch hunt, following some of the key decisions he has taken since he resumed office so far.
The governor stated this on Monday, during a state broadcast to commemorate the year 2023 democracy day celebration.
Alia who solicited more time and partnership from the Benue civil servants, said as of 25th, June 2023, workers will start receiving their salaries from the state government.
“Good people of Benue, we are aware of the sufferings and hardships of our people especially Civil Servants and retirees due to non-payment of their Salaries, Pensions and Gratuities. We call for your patience and understanding as we are working hard to address these problems. Indeed, as of the 25th of this month, Civil Servants should start expecting alerts for their payments,” he said.
While noting the importance of June 12 and democracy in general to Nigerians, said it was at the whims of democracy that he has been given the mandate to steer the affairs of the state for the next four years, calling for the support and prayers of all the Benue citizens.
He appreciated his party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), for always standing by him, as well as the market women, Okada riders and all who played one role or the other to ensure he was Benue’s 7th democratically elected governor of the state.
Alia who spoke on some of the key decisions his administration has taken so far, explained that his decision to rescind the recruitment exercise carried out in the Benue State Civil Service by the outgone administration for instance, is because due process was not followed and the recruitment were lopsided, favouring a few local government areas.
He explained further that his administration had to take the hard decision because there was also no budgetary provision made in respect of the recruitment, and the Solicitor General of the state was also not carried along during the entire process.
Also commenting on the issue of those who were promoted to the position of Permanent Secretaries, but have been asked to return back to their previous posts, the governor said their promotions were done as a cover-up with due process not properly followed, saying the decision to return them back to their previous roles is in good faith and not as a form of witch hunt.
He insisted that “the hard decisions we are taking are for the common good. We have no room for witch hunts in our Government. But we will not shy away from taking those decisions that may look harsh but have become the foundations on which to build the peaceful and prosperous Benue of our dreams.”
He called on all Benue people not to despair but to keep hope alive as according to him, “a new Benue is possible” with everyone’s support.