We’ll wipe out ghost workers from Benue’s payroll —Ortom

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, on Sunday, vowed that his administration would not relent in its determination to eliminate ghost workers towards delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

The governor spoek against the backdrop of the recent discovery of ghost workers in the state’s payroll.

He said the elimination of ghost workers would further reduce the state wage bill to a level where payment of salaries would be sustainable.

Ortom, who spoke at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja on arrival from a trip to the United Nations 71st General Assembly in New York, the United States of America, said he renegotiated with major stakeholders on matters concerning the welfare of the citizens.

He assured that efforts in the provision of security had led to reduction in criminality in the state, but emphasized that the permanent solution to the perennial farmers and herders clashes remained ranching.

Accordingly, he said a bill prohibiting open grazing in the state had been forwarded to the state House of Assembly for passage.

He was accompanied during the US trip by his Special Adviser, Media and Information Communication Technology, ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, and Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties, Mr. Abraham’s Kwaghngu.

Ortom made a presentation on “Experiences in multi-stakeholders’ engagement in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Africa at a side event of the Assembly.

He canvassed the involvement of stakeholders across all sectors in the implementation of projects of the scheme.

The governor also attended another side event on climate change organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment, at which President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister in the ministry, Amina Mohammed as well as other players in the sector across the globe were present.

At the close of the United Nations events, Ortom met with a cross section of the Benue community in New York which hosted him to a dinner.