Era of Salaries and Pension Arrears in Benue Over- Gov Alia
..boosts state transport firm with 100 Buses
The Executive Governor of Benue State Rev Father Hyacinth Alia has said that the era of owing Salaries and pensions in the state was over and urged civil servants to be hopeful of a better Benue.
Governor Alia stated this when he hosted members of the Conference of Benue Journalists, CBJ, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
He said government has made it a point of duty to consistently pay salaries and pensions on 25th of every month to alleviate the life of citizens.
The governor noted that 100 per cent payment of gratuities on retirement was another achievement in the less than six month life of his administration.
Speaking on the transport sector, the governor said that additional 100 buses has been added to the fleet of the state transport company, Benue links to ease transportation problem in the state.
“In the area of transport, 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.
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.
“`Without disrupting the existing structures, I am genuinely committed to the transformation of Benue, harnessing the abundance untapped natural resources and vibrant youthful population,“he said.
He urged the CBJ 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.
He called on members of the state executive council to take advantage of the presence of the group to project the activities of their various ministries.
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.
He said that with the additional buses, the governor has reviewed downward transportation fare on all routes within the state to make it affordable to all users.
Speaking at the occasion, the President, Conference of Benue Journalists, Dr. Emmanuel Anule commended the state government for all the projects embarked upon in the state.
Mr Anule urged him to intensify efforts in addressing security challenges in the state and the people displaced from the their ancestral homes.
“CBJ is confident that your administration’s sustained collaboration with the government at the center will further assist you in achieving and sustaining the desired peace”, Dr Anule said.
He said the tour of some of projects in the State capital, Makurdi, had given the impression of himself and his colleagues that he has started well.
He commend the Governor to continue with the good works, so that “our people can enjoy the dividends of democracy”.
Your Excellency, we are monitoring very closely, some of the interventions of your government, especially in the area of the payment of salaries and arrears of workers. We believe that you are not doing badly in this regard and urge Your Excellency to sustain the tempo. The worker, indeed, deserves his wages’, he said.
“We have studied and evaluated the pillars of your government’s policies and programmes – the seven-point agenda and believe that, if carefully implemented, they can serve as a catalyst for social economic growth and development of our dear State”, he concluded.
