BENUE State Governor, Samuel Ortom has directed the state Ministry of Finance to immediately commence payment of salary arrears, pensions and gratuity from the Paris Club refund recently received by the state.
In the statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Terver Akase yesterday, he said that the governor had suspended the committee earlier set up to pave the way for early disbursement of the money to workers.
The statement said that the Governor made known the decision on Monday at the burial of Sabastine Dewua at Tse-Awuna, Mbachohon, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
The statement explained that though the setting up of the Paris Club disbursement committee was done with good intentions, owing to public concerns, but he had decided to suspend the committee to pave way for speedy payment of the funds to workers and retirees.
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Governor Ortom noted that as part of the transparency policy of his administration, he immediately made public the receipt of the N14.9 billion Paris Club refund even when other states were yet to disclose theirs.
He reaffirmed his stand against the invasion of the state by armed herdsmen, a position he attributed to the support he has enjoyed from Benue people.
The Governor urged his supporters to be peaceful in canvassing support for his reelection, pointing out that power belongs to God and the Creator gives it to whomever he wills.
While praying to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss, Governor Ortom described the late Dewua as a truthful and God fearing person who lived and died in Christ.
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