By Amos Aar
BENUE State governor-elect, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, on Monday in a statement through his media aide, Isaac Uzaan, expressed dismay over the unfortunate condition of the state’s civil servants but gave assurances that good days were by the corner.
Fr. Alia lamented that the civil service which is the engine room of every functional government has been killed completely in Benue State under Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration and reiterated his promise to infuse life into the civil service to keep it working.
This year’s International Worker’s Day in Benue State was gloomy and devoid of activities owing to non-payment of salaries since November 2022.
Benue civil servants did not converge on the Ibrahim Babangida Square (IBB Square), Makurdi to celebrate Worker’s Day as it was the practice in the past years.
Governor Ortom in a solidarity message to workers through his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, acknowledged that the last eight years have been very tough for the workers in terms of payment of their salaries, a situation the governor said was worsened by insecurity in the state.
“The past years have been challenging for all of us and I know that many of you have faced difficult circumstances and uncertainties in your workplaces like payment of salaries and other allowances. The situation has been worsened by insecurity in the state. Yet, you have had to adapt to new working conditions and navigate a rapidly changing economic landscape.
“But through it all, you have persevered and shown incredible resilience. Your dedication and commitment to your jobs and our communities are an inspiration to us all,” Ortom said.
Speaking during the workers day celebration organised by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the State Secretariat of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Makurdi, TUC Chairman, Comrade Gideon Akaa, pointed out some issues affecting the union which include ten months salary arrears, irregular payment of salaries, non-payment of ten percent Government contribution to contributory pension scheme, restoration of payment of leave transport and grant among other issues. He called on the State Government to address the issues.
Comrade Akaa lamented that workers day was celebrated low-key and sympathized with Benue workers who were passing through terrible situations especially that salaries were paid only after October last year.
In his address during the Celebration at State Secretariat of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Makurdi, State Chairman, Comrade Terungwa Igbe, appealed to the State government to review service years for Benue workers.
While he asked the state government to approve 40 years of service and 65 years as retirement age, Comrade Igbe also requested Ortom’s administration to implement national minimum wage for workers on grade level 1-6 for all categories of workers. He also urged the outgoing administration to clear the arrears of pension and salaries before leaving office.
