Benue government pays highest wage bill in northern Nigeria – Gov Ortom
Governor Samuel Ortom said the Benue State government currently pays the highest wage bill in northern Nigeria, which has compounded the problem of paying wages.
Speaking on Sunday, July 31, 2022 while appearing on TVC News ‘Journalist Hangout’, Governor Ortom also denounced the anarchy that has engulfed the nation, saying Nigerians are living in dire straits.
He explained that Benue State, which is predominantly an agrarian state, pays the highest wage bill in the northern region of the country, after Lagos and Rivers State, pointing out that his administration has been in able to reduce the burden of unpaid wages. .
Governor Ortom noted that despite the scarcity of funds, his administration was working diligently to settle unpaid salaries, pointing out that with the domestication of the PENCOM Act, the state government has contributed more than five billion naira to support pensions in the near future. future.
According to the Governor, "This is the first time in Benue State that the government has made the effort we have made to wipe out pensions. As soon as a certain threshold is reached with the domestication of the law on the Pension Commission, we will be able to find the funds and clear the pension arrears,” he said.
The governor further explained that his administration had inherited pension and salary arrears of N70 billion, "but we have significantly reduced it to N40 billion", he said.< /p>
He pointed out that all unions in Benue are aware of what is happening to the state, saying that is why there is no industrial action as there was before.
Governor Ortom has challenged anyone accusing him of embezzlement to come forward with the facts.
However, he decried the relentless attacks on his people by marauding herdsmen which he says have had a negative impact on the agricultural fortunes of the state as well as other sectors of the economy.
The Governor reiterated his call for the self-defense of citizens, condemning lawlessness and impunity in all its forms in the country.
Governor Samuel Ortom said the Benue State government currently pays the highest wage bill in northern Nigeria, which has compounded the problem of paying wages.
Speaking on Sunday, July 31, 2022 while appearing on TVC News ‘Journalist Hangout’, Governor Ortom also denounced the anarchy that has engulfed the nation, saying Nigerians are living in dire straits.
He explained that Benue State, which is predominantly an agrarian state, pays the highest wage bill in the northern region of the country, after Lagos and Rivers State, pointing out that his administration has been in able to reduce the burden of unpaid wages. .
Governor Ortom noted that despite the scarcity of funds, his administration was working diligently to settle unpaid salaries, pointing out that with the domestication of the PENCOM Act, the state government has contributed more than five billion naira to support pensions in the near future. future.
According to the Governor, "This is the first time in Benue State that the government has made the effort we have made to wipe out pensions. As soon as a certain threshold is reached with the domestication of the law on the Pension Commission, we will be able to find the funds and clear the pension arrears,” he said.
The governor further explained that his administration had inherited pension and salary arrears of N70 billion, "but we have significantly reduced it to N40 billion", he said.< /p>
He pointed out that all unions in Benue are aware of what is happening to the state, saying that is why there is no industrial action as there was before.
Governor Ortom has challenged anyone accusing him of embezzlement to come forward with the facts.
However, he decried the relentless attacks on his people by marauding herdsmen which he says have had a negative impact on the agricultural fortunes of the state as well as other sectors of the economy.
The Governor reiterated his call for the self-defense of citizens, condemning lawlessness and impunity in all its forms in the country.
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