Gov. Ortom commits 80% of Paris Club Refund to payment of salaries

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has confirmed receipt of N14.9 billion final tranche of the Paris Club refund from the Federal Government.
The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Terver Akase and made available to Peoples Daily yesterday disclosed that 80% of the funds will be used for payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.
He has therefore set up a committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Benson Abounu to work out modalities for immediate disbursement of the funds.
Also, on the committee are the Head of Service, Finance Commissioner, Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adviser on Labour Matters, Chairmen of Nigerian Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Benue State chapters.
According to Akase, the decision of his boss to involve key stakeholders in disbursement of the Paris Club refund is in line with his policy of transparency and accountability.
It will be recalled that the Governor similarly made public the receipt and disbursement of the N12.7 billion first tranche and N6.4 billion second tranche of the Paris Club refunds respectively.