Alia pledges payment of backlog of salary, pension, gratuities

•Freezes all state account

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

New Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacitnth Alia has pledged to prioritize payment of backlog of workers salary areears, pension and gratuities.
Governor Alia made the pledge in his inaugural speech after being sworn -in as Chief Executive of the State by the Chief Judge of the State Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
He also announced the immediate freezing of all bank accounts belonging to the State Government, warning sternly that anyone who violates the instruction, does so at his own risk.
Alia lamented over the plight of civil servants, pensioners, assuring that all arrears of salaries, pension and gratutities will be paid promptly without delay.
He decried the appalling situation of the State, noting that it is faced by insecurity,dampening morale, broken economy, massive non and under employment.
“These are indicators of a deep rooted crisis which call for bold and swift action. Benue is on life support requring care. Benue is broken and need reset.
“We will act and the time is now. The moment is here.A new Benue is possible. We will synergize with the Federal Government to ensure security of lives and property.
“We will address root cause of insecurity which are poverty and exclusion. We will industrialize the State and place emphasis on agricutlure. Review State of water situation, housing, commerce as well as infrastrucrure. Public infrastructure in a deplorable State. We will start at ground zero. All block drainages in the State will be cleared through Public Work scheme and direct labor to avert flooding.
“In the area of education, we will prioritize development of teachers with tools to deliver quality education.
“Am not a lone ranger, I intend to run an open and transparent government. To all other political parties, the period of electioneering is over, I call on you to join hands with me to build a Benue of our dream”, Fr. Alia appealed.