2 workers collapse in Benue over recall of Paris Club Refund

THE recall of the Paris Club refunds earlier paid to Benue State Government has led to two workers collapsed on hearing the news.

The report of the recall of the Paris Club Refund by federal government had filtered to the state on Tuesday which shocked several workers.

Recalled that the governor had confirmed the receipt of N14.9 billion Parts Club refunds and also directed the state ministry of finance to commence the payment of workers’ salary arrears and allowances to pensioners.

Both the state civil servants and local government workers are being owed seven and eleven months salary arrears respectively.

Speaking to TribuneOnline yesterday, some of the workers said that the federal government step was aimed at killing Benue workers

“This is nothing but tactical ways of sending workers to their early grave, as am talking to you now, two workers were said to have collapsed on hearing the news, though they were later revived.

“Immediately we heard of governor’s directive on Monday, we thought that we would be receiving alerts as from Tuesday evening.

In his response to the recall of the Paris Club money, the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Godwin Anya said he was shocked over the development.

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According to him, “I don’t know the reason for the recall of the Paris Club, everybody has been expecting to be paid because the governor on Monday directed the payment of arrears.”

“I don’t know the reason for that nonsense, I don’t know where the country is heading to,” Anya said.

Also in his own reaction, the Media Adviser to the governor, Tahav Agerzua described it as series of victimization the federal government is meeting out to the state.

Agerzua said that it was strange in accounting parlance to pay money into somebody’s or government account and suddenly withdraw it, noting that it is another form of impunity and intemperance by the All Progressives Congress, APC government.

” This is not a gift. It is a legitimate right of the government. This is part of series of moves aimed at subjugating the people. This action has shown clearly that the APC cannot protect the people,” he said.

Tahav further observed that the issue has been politicized, stressing that it was an act of desperation as a result of the party’s failure in the Osun governorship election.

“There is serious anger in the land as a result of recalling of the Paris Club Refund by the Federal government. The people now know who their enemies and oppressors are.

“Benue people should rise up and vote out APC government,” Tahav concluded.