Also, the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia expressed gratitude to the state workers for their contributions in driving the state to the path of development.
Speaking at the IBB Square, Makurdi, venue for the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration, he pledged to always accord priority attention to their welfare even as he urged them to support his second term bid.
Highlighting significant strides of his administration in the last two years, the Governor said the workers of the state deserved special acknowledgement for the successes made so far and assured that his administration would continue to pay salaries and pensions of workers and retirees promptly.
He emphasised that the implementation of a N75,000 minimum wage, exceeding the federal benchmark by N5,000 was a way of elevating the living standards of civil servants, reflecting a commitment to enhancing worker motivation and productivity.
He also detailed reforms in pension processes, ensuring that retirees from the state civil service receive their entitlements without undue delay, thereby restoring dignity to those who have served the state.
He also listed the part payment of five months’ salary arrears for workers, including political appointees from previous administrations, promising regular payments moving forward.
In a bid to modernize the workforce, the governor disclosed that the newly established Benue Public Service Institute has begun the training of the over 40,000 workers in e-governance, preparing them for a modernized public service, explaining that the institute will soon offer postgraduate programs to further enhance skills and promote career advancement.
He also said his administration has addressed the challenges posed by the removal of fuel subsidies, citing the transportation subsidy initiative in the state for easing commuting costs for workers.
He also stated that the support for the state farmers such as subsidised fertilisers and inputs reflect the administration’s commitment to a holistic approach in addressing worker welfare.
He urged workers to maintain high standards of professionalism and excellence, condemning negative workplace behaviours and assured that their voices will always play a crucial role in the administration’s vision.
He said: “Ours is a people centered administration and we will continue to work hard to make the people happy.
“We have also been working very hard to tackle insecurity in the state and ensure that the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, return to their ancestral homes to continue to farm to feed the state and the nation as a whole. We will not let our guards down until security is fully restored in our state,” he said
While urging the workers to always stand with his administration and also support his re-election bid, Governor Alia said, “do not fail the mathematics of 4 plus 4. As you are seated I know you want me to continue and I will continue.”
Earlier, the Benue state chapter Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Terungwa Igbe commended the Governor for prompt payment of salaries and pensions urging him to pay workers the pending 2017 salaries arrears.
The Chairman who commended the Governor for implementing the minimum wage to Benue workers however regretted that inflation rate has eroded the gains of the salary adjustments.