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Tag: Benue State Governor

  • Ortom: NLC blackmailing my government

    Ortom: NLC blackmailing my government

    • Says we inherited N69 billion salaries, Pension arrears

    Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom has said that his state inherited arrears of salaries, pensions and gratuity of about N69 billion which the bailout fund and the Paris Club refund has not been able to clear, accusing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the national level of blackmailing his government and inciting workers in the state to embark on strike.

    Ortom who spoke at a book launch in Abuja said his state was paying the highest salary to its workers in the country and challenge the leadership of labour to contradict his claim by coming out with superior facts.

    He also challenge the leaders of Labour to drag his government to the anti-corruption agencies in the country is they feel that he was not fair to Benue workers in the appropriation of the federal government bailout fund to drag his government to the anti-corruption agencies.

    He insisted that the leadership of Labour should do a comparative analysis of remuneration of Benue workers with other states, insisting that he is paying higher than any other state in the country.

    Governor Ortom said his government was open to dialogue, urging anybody with superior programs to tackle the issue to bring it on the dialogue table.

    “I believe that the discussion is still ongoing. We will still talk even though I feel that we should not be discussing our problems in the media. I have told them to bring the issues on the table because government is ready to put all the figures on the table to anyone to see.

    “It is part of our transparency and accountability. One thing I can assure you is that we have formed a process of working towards it. It is not enough for the leadership of the labour union to incite the workers to go on strike at the National level and Benue state.

    “For me, it is not the best way of unionism and taking care of workers. Benue State has a peculiar problem. We inherited a debt arrears of N69 billion of pension, gratuity and salaries.

    “Now, the intervention from the federal government called Paris Club or bailout as they call even though it is a loan all together could not clear the N69 billion debt arrears. So, the challenge is still there and everybody knows about it.

    “The figures are on the table for everyone to see. For us, Benue is one of the States in the country paying the highest salary as at today I am talking to you. I challenge you to compare your note.

    “In other states where Permanent Secretaries are collecting N230, 000, we are paying N500, 000 because that is what we inherited. We believe in dialogue and discussion and if you have superior programs that can make things better for Benue people bring them on the table for discussion.

    “It is not just enough to go and incite people to go on strike to prove that that government is not paying. They should ask what has been the history. I challenge them to do analysis of what has been on ground.

    “The good thing is that none of the anti-corruption agency can indict us for misappropriation of bailout fund because we have been very transparent. That is where we are now,” he said.

  • Fulani, Herdsmen crisis: Struggle for natural resources – Association

    Fulani, Herdsmen crisis: Struggle for natural resources – Association

    • Kicks against Benue anti-open grazing law
    • Calls for establishment of grazing reserve commission 
    Cattle breeders association under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore on Tuesday kicked against anti-open grazing legislation enacted by the Benue State government.
    The group argued that they were original inhabitants of Benue valley in the State, thus the lingering crisis was a struggle for the state’s natural resources.
    The National Secretary, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Engr. Saleh Alhassan said during a world press conference in Abuja that it was inappropriate to treat members of the association as outcasts, adding that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol even allows the Fulani community free movement into and across the country.
    The Benue State Governor, Samuel Otom recently passed the anti-open rearing and grazing bill into law.
    Alhassan said: “We are ever ready. We are peaceful people. What we don’t accept is for people not to welcome us and want to annihilate us. We will not accept that.
    We know our history. We know our root. If you see us in the bushes, don’t think we don’t have our history and particularly in the Benue. We are challenging the Tiv people. We were there in the Benue valley before them…before they moved from Congo and settled in Cross River and later moved to the Benue valley. So they met the pastoralist there. This is a struggle for natural resources. You cannot beat us and say we should not cry, No. Even God will not be happy with that.
    However, he said the nation should acknowledge the existence of pastoral farmers and provide grazing reserves to develop new breed of cattle and embrace modern technology.
    “The Nigerian state must recognise that the Fulani pastoralist exists and as a socio-cultural group that has a right to the shared resources. We must be allocated land to do our cattle grazing, which systematically we can settle our families, change the breed of cattle they need and improve on the technology of cattle rearing,” he added.
    Speaking on ways to end the communal clashes, he stressed that the association was partnering on experimental ranching and nomadism with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as part of gestures to provide lasting solution to the crisis.
    In his remark, President of the socio-cultural association, Alh. Abdullahi Bello, described the enactment as wicked, obnoxious and repressive.
    He said it was wicked to criminalise their means of survival and freedoms.
    However, Bello urged the National Assembly to intervene on the issue, stressing that inter-state movement of pastoralists is synonymous to inter-state commerce.
    Our association view the current attempt by the Benue State government to criminalise our means of economic livelihood of cattle rearing through the enactment of an obnoxious anti-open grazing law as the most wicked act any government can do to us and our economic interest.
    “We want to state here that we reject that repressive and oppressive law and will deploy all the necessary legal means as enshrined in the constitution to challenge it,” he added.
    The association vowed to mobilise herdsmen in the country to resist the law as it was a deliberate attempt to enslave their members,”through this wicked legislation ever contemplated in the history of our nation.”
  • Wheelbarrow: Jealous opponents blackmailing me – Ortom 

    Wheelbarrow: Jealous opponents blackmailing me – Ortom 

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Thursday said that his political opponents jealous of his achievements are blackmailing him towards 2019 elections over wheelbarrow distribution in the state.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ortom said that such opponents are latching on rumour in attempt to diminish his rising profile.

    He said that it was regrettable that deliberate lies were being told against him by people scheming to gain advantage in the run up to 2019 general election.

    On the accusations of disturbing wheelbarrows for empowerment, he said: “That is outright falsehood. There is no iota of truth. It is meant to scandalize, blackmail and to reduce my rising profile in Benue because of achievements we have recorded during these two years.

    “When you hear the likes of David Mark, who are supposed to be an elder statesman, go to make false propaganda against people who are supposed to be his subjects, I used to regard him as an elder, but it’s unfortunate he is telling lies.

    “Those wheelbarrows were brought to us by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to be distributed to displaced people who need them.

    “They actually need those wheelbarrows and they were given to the state emergency relief body for onward distribution to the victims. And for whatever reasons, the agency wrote my name that I was distributing it.

    “But as soon as that was drawn to my attention, I refuted it and I said this is not my property.

    “In empowerment, I have several programmes for the youth and this one is not meant for the youths. It was distributed to displaced people.

    “So, it was just meant to blackmail me because PDP in Benue are still dreaming, including David Mark, that I am governor and I won election.

    “I left them (PDP) because of the injustice they did to me and I came to APC and found a platform. The people accepted me and I won. They are out to blackmail me and it will not work because there is no iota of truth.”

    On the jealous opponents, he said “Of course, they have been propagating that they want to take over the leadership in 2019 but I think they are just dreaming because even when it was pepper, I was able to finish the food, how much more now that it’s with chicken and sesame seed.  You know it’s easier to eat and the people we are working with, we have gotten more support.

    “More people have decamped from the PDP to the APC. So, where will they go? The local government elections is coming up on June 3. I want them to come up and compete.

    “It’s unfortunate that even to present candidates, there are factions and up till today.

    “I am told that they have six candidates out of the 23 local governments. It is their problem. They should go and sort out their own problem. All I am concerned is to bring development to my people.” he said

    Ortom said that he has invited former Senate President, David Mark, to a meeting where he presented his administration’s second year scorecard but he declined, adding that other Benue citizens however applauded his effort.

    He said: “On the 22 May, I invited all Benue stakeholders, David Mark was invited and I was given standing ovation. That alone is an indication that Benue people are pleased with me in all sectors despite all the challenges especially in funding.

    “I have cleared arrears of salaries. These people are just jealous, David Mark is jealous and all his cohorts are jealous. They have left Benue State and went to Rivers and met and came and disturb us in Benue State. Let them come to Benue State.” he added

    He maintained that his problem with Mark was not about a quarrel but spreading of falsehood, adding however that he would take any opportunity to discuss the issue over with the former Senate president.

    He said “I don’t think it’s about quarrel. For a very senior citizen of that level to spread falsehood and tell lies against his governor when I invited them to stakeholders meeting where my two year scorecard was delivered to my people and they accepted it and appreciated what we are doing and he refused to come only to go to Rivers and be telling lies against me, It’s unfortunate.

    “Anytime I have the opportunity I think we will discuss things over,” he stated.

    It would be recalled that while commissioning some projects executed by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state recently, Mark had alluded to the fact that while Wike was commissioning roads, some state governors were busy distributing wheelbarrows to their citizens.

     

  • DSS refuses to produce Suswam in trial by EFCC

    DSS refuses to produce Suswam in trial by EFCC

    The failure by the Department of State Service (DSS) to produce former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam stalled proceedings in his trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja Tuesday.

    Suswan and Omadachi Oklobia (who served as Finance Commissioner in Suwam’s government) are being triedby the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for allegedly diverting N3.1billion belonging to Benue State Government.

    They are, among others, accused of diverting proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue Government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, for their personal uses.

    The case was fixed for Tuesday for the continuation of the prosecution’s case. But at the commencement of proceedings, prosecuting lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe drew the court’s attention to Suwam’s absence in court.

    He noted that Suswam was on bail and wondered why he was absent, but said his (Suswam’s) lawyer should be allowed to explain his absence.

    Suswam’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) said his client’s absence was not out of disrespect to the court, but to no fault of his.

    Daudu said Suswam was invited by the DSS on February 24 this year. And that since then, he has been kept in detention without charge.

    He said no effort has been made by the DSS to take him (Suswam) to court in respect of whatever allegation they may have against him.

    Daudu said: “The 1st defendant (Suswam) is being prosecuted by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in this case. The last place he was seen is in the custody of an agency of the FGN, the DSS.

    “So, if the prosecution is not aware, I am, by this statement from the Bar, making him to be aware, so that he can enquire why the 1st defendant is being kept by the DSS.

    “We do not know what has happened to him. We do not know why he is being kept. We want to say his absence is not out of his disrespect to this court. His absence is not wilful or deliberate,” Daudu said.

    Responding, Atolagbe said the agency prosecuting Suswam in this case was the EFCC, which is different from the DSS, which currently is holding him.

    Atolagbe added that “they are two different agencies entirely.” He however, agreed to Daudu’s observation that there was need for an adjournment in view of Suswam’s absence.

    Ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohammed noted that the case, being a criminal matter, could not proceed in the absence of the 1st defendant. He adjourned to May 9 for continuation of trial.

     

  • Ortom: Why I ordered armed herdsmen out of Benue

    Ortom: Why I ordered armed herdsmen out of Benue

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday said that he ordered the expulsion of armed herdsmen out of his state was to protect the lives and property of his people.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he said that it was incumbent on him to secure the people against any internal and external aggression.

    Stressing that he couldn’t have continued watching helplessly while his people were getting killed by the herders, he said that his action is in line with the rule of law.

    The governor also disclosed that he had appropriately directed the security agencies to ensure that the armed herdsmen were arrested and prosecuted.

    He said: “I  ordered armed herdsmen out of my state. They are not friendly to my people. They are killing them and I cannot tolerate that. My job as governor is to provide security for lives and property.

    “I cannot watch seeing people being killed unprovoked. It is not right. The only thing my people are living on is farming. When you go to their farmland and destroy their crop and then when they complain you kill them, that will never be acceptable. I will not fold my hands to watch this happen.

    “I have told the security men to ensure they arrest of all those who have arms. You are aware that through my amnesty Programme, I was able to disarm the criminal elements in my society because I believe in the rule of law and due process.

    “Without the rule of law, there is no way we can govern. A stronger person will come and take over the affairs of the state from where ever you are. And so, we must abide by the rule of law. The impunity is what we should stand up and fight outside from corruption.” he said

    He went on: “Another thing is impunity, it is worse than corruption. So, why we are fighting corruption, we just also fight impunity. This is not right. Those armed herdsmen, are they above the law?

    “So, the security men must track and arrest them and prosecute them according to the law. I have told my people that as farmers, they have no business carrying arms. And so, I will protect them as long as I am governor is my state.” he said

    He also refuted the claims that his directives were not accepted by the  Commissioner of police, stressing that they were both on the same page.

    “People with arms? The commissioner of police should arrest those people with arms. These are not licensed arms. I was with him when we went to Buruku, he never said anything to contradict what I said earlier. I don’t know where this fabrication is coming from. As far as I am concerned, I am in touch with my security council in Benue State. We meet regularly and all these problems we discuss them when we meet.

    “And I as far as I am concerned, we are on the same page to ensure that those weigh arms should be arrested otherwise, they should leave the state”, he said.

  • Insecurity: Buhari meets Benue, Bauchi, Jigawa governors

    Insecurity: Buhari meets Benue, Bauchi, Jigawa governors

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met separately with some state governors over insecurity in their state.

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, first met with the President before Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar and Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru together met with the President.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Ortom said that he was at the presidential villa to seek the President’s assistance towards addressing some security challenges in the state.

    According to him, the Benue government has been partnering with security agencies and have received support from the Federal Government to tackle the level of crime and clashes between herdsmen and farmers, which have been put under control.

    He said: “We have been having security challenges but thank God with the collaboration with some security agencies in my state and with the support of Mr. President, I can say that there is relatively calm.

    “Today, the issue of herdsmen and farmers we have been able to through dialogue agree to work together in a manner that there will be win-win,” he said

    He noted that one of the best ways to end clashes between farmers and Fulani herds men was to adopt the system of ranching.

    “I have always said this, if we can copy the presidential system from America why can we not copy ranching? But you see it is a gradual process and cannot be done overnight.

    “We are propagating ranching as the final and lasting solution to these issues of herdsmen and farmers clashes. But is something that cannot be done overnight. We need the collaboration of the states and the federation to agree on a formula, one for the nomads,” he added.

    He said that the state is also planning the construction of Cargo Airport in Markudi to assist in the export of the huge agricultural produce from the state to other parts of the country and abroad.

    The Airport project, he said, will be executed through 85 percent contribution from a consortium of private sector with Benue only putting in 15 percent.

    He also confirmed that some governors have put their grievances in writing over the lopsidedness in the President’s appointments including the recent Ambassadorial nomination list.

    The action, he recalled, was part of the agreement reached at an emergency meeting held between the APC governors and President Buhari last week Monday.

    He however pointed out that it was the prerogative of President Buhari to choose whoever he wants to serve in his government.

    He said: “It is the prerogative of Mr. President to do appointments but where there is need we always give support. We have written where we have reservations and it is being attended to.”

    On their visit to the President, Bauchi Governor said that he came with Jigawa Governor to confer with Mr President on common security issues affecting the two states.

    He said: “As you can see, I am here with the governor of Jigawa, as you know we share border with Jigawa, we have come to discuss some security concerns with the President to solicit for his support for us to effectively ensure security in the two states, this is basically what we have come to discuss.

    “We are concerned that the spate of kidnapping is increasing and anything that will touch on the security of our states is a matter of grave concern to us, that is why we have rushed here before it becomes endemic and we have conferred with the President and we have his support.

    “The military is conducting exercise in the area but what the exercise lacked before is coordination between the two states so there is a need for us to coordinate and for us to do that we require the seal of the C in C.

    On the Northern governors’ trip to the United States, he said that they were invited by the United States Peace Institute based in Washington.

    “It is an organisation set up by the government of the US, they have a great concern in the northern part of Nigeria and they believe whatever situation that exist in the northern part of Nigeria have a multiplier effect on the whole nation. So if you are able to solve the problem before it becomes a national problem, it will help, we have discussed with them the root causes of insurgency and illiteracy, poverty, lack of empowerment of youth and women and this are issues we have discussed and the issues of IDPs in Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe.

    “They have indicated their concern for the humanitarian concern and with this hue and cry about the situation of Children in the IDP camp and we have solicited for their immediate support so that we can assist the children.”

    Governor of Jigawa said: “We have been fighting insurgency and criminal elements in our individual states but we believe we need a coordinated fight between Bauchi and Jigawa to finally drag them out of the forest and finally put rest to the problem there.”

    He said that the President is willing to assist the two states and more actions will be seen in the coming weeks.

  • I’ll apply force to stop insecurity in Benue – Ortom

    I’ll apply force to stop insecurity in Benue – Ortom

    To end insecurity in Benue state, the Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday said that his administration will apply the “stick approach” to solve the problem in the state.

    Violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers have been very rampant in the state.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ortom said that the approach is following the “carrot approach” that was introduced at the inception of his government.

    His administration at the inception, he said introduced an amnesty programme designed as a carrot and stick approach to ending insecurity.

    But he noted that the first approach succeeded to some level with some people surrendering their arms, while many others have returned to their old ways as they are not sincere.

    Their insincerity, he said, has necessitated the use of force.

    He said: “The carrot approach succeeded to some extent with may people surrendering arms. But some went back to their old ways because they are not sincere.

    “We have now adopted the stick approach. All security agencies in the state must restore safety to the state.

    “The state must be secured from robbers, kidnappers and assassins. We need to get rid of criminals from our society.

    “We also intend to encourage investors and they will not come if the state is not secured.” He added

    The governor disclosed that the state government has started receiving expression of interest to invest from Asia and Europe.

    He pointed out that the government’s inability to pay salaries was still a problem as the state was still generating incomes not adequate to pay local government workers.

    Noting that the nation has so far paid lip services to agriculture development, he commended the Federal Government’s new agriculture initiative.

    He said that his administration’s decision to declare Fridays as public holidays is to allow civil servants embrace agriculture and has been yielding results.

    “It is the right way to go. If we do not have money to do other things, we should have money to sustain ourselves,” he said.

    He regretted the defeat of the Dream Team VI by Germany at the semi- finals of the Olympics men’s soccer event on Wednesday.

    But he was optimistic that the team would do better next time.

    He said that his government has commenced a sports programme aimed at catching the youth while still young.

    “We have the talents, with little improvement of their skills, they will do us proud. We will do better next time,” the governor said.

    According to him, he was at the State House to brief the Presidency of efforts being made to tackle the insecurity situation in the state.

    Briefing the Presidency, he said was important so that the Federal Government would be aware of the efforts being made with a view to ensuring co-operation between the two arms of government.

  • Ortom pledges collaboration with vigilante group on crime

    Ortom pledges collaboration with vigilante group on crime

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has assured members of the Benue State Chapter of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria of support  in the fight to rid the society of criminals.
    Governor Ortom who received members of the group at Benue People’s House today, said law enforcement agencies  needed synergy with other organizations to enable them to succeed.
    He said his administration  would continue to make the provision of security and advised the vigilante group to put their house in order in such a manner that organisations with similar objectives would not work at cross purposes.
    The  Governor directed the Special Adviser on Security to harmonise the various vigilante groups in the state into one formidable body that can receive government support.
    He disclosed that law enforcement agents and members of the civilian joint task force recorded a major success recently when they arrested several criminals with  four AK 47 rifles,  one pump action, 250 rounds of live ammunition and eight magazines.
    Governor Ortom said the stick approach would be applied after the carrot approach that was used during the period of amnesty and noted that no criminal would henceforth be spared.
    While insisting that he could not preside over a state dominated by criminals, the Governor said  with the dedication  of the state to God, no stone would be left unturned in the area of the fight against crime even corruption.
    Earlier, the Benue State Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Samuel Ahungwa Zungwenen told the Governor that members have been apprehending fake currency dealers and other criminals  and requested him to equip  and furnish their new head.
    Mr Zungwenen said the Governor would be invited to commission the head office adding that as patron of the organization he would be decorated with the appropriate rank during the  occasion.
    He commended the Governor’s security measures since he assumed office especially the amnesty programme and the efforts to end the Fulani herdsmen’s invasion and requested for assistance in the areas of mobility and the permission to produce locally made arms.
    The group was led to Benue People’s House by the state matron, Mrs Regina Akume, JP.
  • N4.29 billion fraud: ‘Ortom not under investigation’

    N4.29 billion fraud: ‘Ortom not under investigation’

    Benue State Government has denied media reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was investigating Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, over N4.29 billion fraud.

    In press statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and ICT, which was made available to The  Nation said the allegations which are false and mischievous are calculated at tarnishing the image of the Governor and his administration.

    Governor Ortom and his officials are not under investigation by any anti-graft body.
    The reports claimed that they were based on three petitions sent to the EFCC.

    According to the reports, Governor Ortom siphoned over N2.6 billion through the bank account of a member of the House of Representatives, Mr Emmanuel Udende.

    Mr. Udende has already issued a statement denying the authencity of the said bank details.
    “EFCC does not need to be told when huge money hits somebody’s account because the Nigerian Financial Intelligence, NFI Unit is an arm of the Commission which alerts them about all large sums transactions,” he stated.

    “The glo phone number provided in the report is not mine. I don’t have a driving licence. I use my international passport in my transactions. The Bank accounts provided are also not mine. No funds were transferred into my accounts as contained in the report at any point. My bank accounts do not have such amounts of money mentioned.”

    “If truly EFCC has received a petition of that nature, why have they not invited me up till now? Should we be hearing about the said petition on the pages of newspapers?” The lawmaker queried.

    Checks at the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs where an alleged N929, 903,967.00 was stolen by two persons revealed the following.

    Mr. Festus Andoor is the cashier of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who has the mandate to make withdrawals from the Joint Allocation Account Committee’s Bank account as approved by the 23 local government chairmen at JAAC meetings.

    These approvals include disbursement of funds to tackle security challenges especially herdsmen’s attacks in the 23 local government areas in recent times as well as other emergencies such as the burial of the late Tor Tiv Orchivirigh Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula.

    The withdrawals made, covered the amount mentioned in the allegations and fell within the period quoted by the publications.

    With regard to John J Bako, he is a police officer overseeing the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the state.

    It is on record that the immediate past administration instituted an arrangement of providing monthly logistics to support the squad in the local government areas.
    The current administration inherited this policy and sustained it.

    None of the amounts referred to has been paid into any private account belonging to Governor Samuel Ortom’s associates as alleged.

    It is to be noted that the figures quoted in the publications with regard to the Bureau were contained in the submissions it voluntarily presented to the Public Accounts Committee of the State House of Assembly.

    The public is to note that no official of the Bureau or the executive arm is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC for any reason whatsoever and there is no basis for such.

    The publications are part of a grand design by those indicted by the Kpojime Commission for looting N107 billion from the coffers of the state who are using part of the resources to fight the Ortom administration.

    I appeal to members of the public to disregard the spurious allegations and be assured that efforts to recover the loot are on course.

     

  • Ortom debunks rumour of workers retrenchment

    Ortom debunks rumour of workers retrenchment

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has dismissed widespread rumour that his administration was planning to downsize the state’s workforce because of economic constraints.

    Governor Ortom who stated this while fielding questions from journalists at the end  of the meeting he held with officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE  and affiliate unions at Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, said the  meeting addressed the problem of non-payment of salaries.

    Governor Ortom said the difficulties he has faced in paying salaries arose as a result of the dwindling allocation to the state which dropped to N1.3 billion and explained that the allocation was too meager to meet the challenges confronting the state.

    He maintained that Benue workers contributed immensely to his emergence as governor, and reiterated that he has no intention to downsize the workforce even in the face of economic challenges.

    “I am not thinking of downsizing the workforce for now, we are thinking of industrializing the state so that even civil servants can go into the industries and forget about civil service; workers in Benue state are part of me, they contributed immensely in making me governor, and there is no way I will toy with their welfare,” he added.

    He said, the only way the state can wriggle out of the quagmire is to borrow money to offset the backlog of unpaid salaries of workers who are the ‘drivers of the economy’.

    In separate interviews, the state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Godwin Anya, as well as his NULGE and TUC counterparts, urged the state governor to obtain more loans to clear workers’ salaries.

    “I support the idea that the governor should borrow money again to clear workers’ salaries because as long as we live, we cannot die because there is no money, so, if it means borrowing one hundred times, NLC will agree that government should go ahead and borrow”, Anya said.

    On his part, the state NULGE Chairman, Mr. Terungwa Igbe, also supported the move to obtain another loan to pay workers, stressing that local government workers needed to be paid.