By Amos Aar
THE SECRETARY to the Benue State Government (SSG), Deborah Serumum Aber, has expressed concern over what she referred to as meager budget allocation to the Cabinet Office, pointing out its impact on office maintenance, staff accommodation, water and electricity supply.
The SSG, who bared her mind Thursday during an oversight visit by the State House of Assembly Committee on Rules and Business, led by Hon. Saater Tiseer, highlighted the challenges facing the office.
In response, Hon. Tiseer pledged to increase the Cabinet Office’s budget to ensure effective functioning and commended SSG for her detailed presentation.
The committee also recommended that political offices should reflect all zones in the state, state accountant general should regularly release overheads to the Cabinet Office given its central role in implementing government policies, and appointment letters be given to Governor Alia’s appointees as some of them were yet to receive letters according to the committee.
Meanwhile, the Benue Stat chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Terungwa Igbe, urged the state government to expedite implementation of the N70,000 new national minimum wage signed into law.
The SSG assured that the new wage would be paid soon, amidst Governor Hyacinth Alia’s delay in approving the new national minimum wage.
