The Benue State Executive Council has approved Fridays as a work-free day to enable workers work on their farms.
Governor Samuel Ortom, who chaired the 16th session of the meeting, explained that the objective was to enable as many workers as possible to produce food to feed their families, considering the current economic downturn, which has made salary payment irregular.
He said the directive would be effective from Friday, June 10 toll the end of July.
The governor also announced that he would take a two-week vacation, which was part of his annual leave from Monday, June 13, to work on his farm and the Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, would be the acting governor.
The council also approved the interdiction of the Special Adviser on Special Duties,
Joseph Kyaagba, who is being investigated in the murder of the Senior Special Assistant on Special Security, Denen Igbana.
It directed the Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr. Bem Mellabu, to oversee the office of Special Duties, in addition to his portfolio.
The meeting also approved the appointment of Igbana’s wife, Martha, as a Special Assistant to the governor on community relations.
The council also approved the Bill for the Prohibition of open grazing of Livestock in the state and Establishment of Ranches and directed the Attorney-General to forward it to the House of Assembly.