Benue Assembly sets to ascertain wage bill

WORRIED by the alarming increase in the wage bill of workers in the state, Benue State House of Assembly has constituted a committee to find out the actual wage bill of the state.
Member representing Vandeikya -Tiev state constituency in the house disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi at the weekend.
According to him, the state assembly has mandated its committee on finance and appropriation to urgently liaise with the state Ministry of Finance with a view to come out with actual wage bill of workers in the state.
Recall that at the time governor Samuel Ortom assumed office in May 29, 2015, the state’s wage bill stood at N4.3billion monthly but the same governor had consistently cried out that the state monthly wage bill now stand at N7. 8billion.
Mr Ucha stated that the House may not support any move by the executive arm to either downside numbers of workers or review their salary downward until verification exercise is carry out by the House of Assembly is completed and actual numbers of workers are known in the state.
According to Ucha, “the assembly is committed to end the controversy trailing wage bill of workers. It is our duty and responsibility as legislators to know the actual number of staff working for the state and how much they earn and possibly raise alarm when necessary if things go the other way.”
On his achievements in house, the PDP member in the house said he has electrified major streets in Vandeikya township area of his constituency, stressing that it is one of security measures to expose and prevent criminals who hide under darkness to perpetrate criminal activities.
The lawmaker also said he has cosponsored three bills and five motions as well as given scholarship to 120 indigents of Vandeikya local government area who are studying in various institutions of learning.
He said: ”I have been able to embark on building of abattoirs in some markets in my constituency and construction of culverts in other council wards even though my duty is to make quality legislations that would help develop the state, but I will continue to provide such services, which I feel my people needed.”