…says payment of salaries not achievement
By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
In view of the ominous threat by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Unions Congress, TUC, for a planned nationwide industrial action, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has implored the leadership of the unions to reconsider their actions, and exercise little more patience as government is working round the clock to meet their demands.
Governor Alia who made the appeal in his address to the state in commemoration of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day celebration Sunday in Makurdi said, “although my administration does not consider regular payment of pensions, gratuity, and public workers’ salaries as achievement, I am more determined to sustain the practice to stabilize welfare package of the states workforce”.
According to the governor, “my administration will not deploy propaganda and political blackmail in governance, but would instead, allow my achievements in office speak”.
He said the government under his watch, has left the door opened for innovative ideas and constructive criticisms, adding that corruption and nepotism are already being relegated, especially as the administration is poised to foist the flags of merit, equity, equality, justice and fairness in all its dealings.
Gov. Alia while appreciating the people of the state for believing and standing by him to deliver good governance, saluted the nation’s founding fathers who made the country’s independence possible. He thank God for keeping the country together despite some events that have in the past, threatened the its peaceful coexistence.
The governor said that, ” i recognize that the agricultural sector in Benue has the potential to boost food security and enhance job creation when fully tapped. In this regard, my administration procured 100 trucks of fertilizer for distribution to farmers at subsidized rates, shortly after I took office”.
“Renewed Hope in the state is equally translating into realities. The award of contracts and mobilisation of contractors to site for the construction of 16 strategic roads within Makurdi metropolis, the ongoing ICT training of 10,000 Benue youths by the Government in collaboration with Google and Microsoft; continuous Capacity Development Scheme for all civil servants in the state, as well as the establishment of the Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation Bureau are pointers for all to see”.
The Governor said the payment for this year’s Senior Secondary School Examination fees of all students in government approved public secondary schools in the state, the purchase of 100 buses to be soon handed over to Benue Links transport company, are measures meant to help cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.
On security, Governor Alia, while identifying with the family of the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Matthew Aboh, and other kidnapped victims in the state, reiterated that criminals and armed banditry have no place in the new Benue under his watch.
“Government and the security agencies are working tirelessly and round the clock to ensure the safe release of those kidnapped as soon as possible”, Gov. Alia said.
The governor revealed that a master plan for peace is in the pipeline to address the ugly trend of communal clashes amongst communities in the state. He added that, efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace, security and safety of lives and property at the state’s border areas are already in place.
Governor Alia who frowned at Benue youths trekking to Abuja and other cities to honour certain Nigerians, admonished them to desist from the act immediately, and avail themselves for the ICT training organized by the state government to enable them become self-reliant in the future.
