From Hir Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has disclosed that under his administration, retiring civil servants will be paid their gratuity immediately on retirement.
The governor disclosed this during a familiarisation meeting with the State Council of Chief at the Government House in Makurdi.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, in Makurdi after the meeting, the governor’s Special Adviser on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (BLGCA), Mr Dennis Akura, who noted that state government was committed to the fulfilling it campaign promises towards the welfare of workers in the state.
He told newsmen that Governor Alia has directed the payment of salaries of workers on or before the 25th of every month.
He also noted that state government has directed all the DGSAs to revert to the old ways of payment of salaries in the Local governments saying the Heads of Department would be given their impress to boost their moral.
Akura said the Governor during the meeting, grown at insecurity, illegal mining, illegal road blocks and logging of trees at the local governments in the state also charged the traditional rulers to partner with the government to curb the ugly trends in their various domains by reporting such activities to government.
He said that the chiefs are aware of the illegal mining and illegal logging of trees as well as blocking of roads by young people to extort money from innocent motorists and therefore charged all the traditional rulers to help him curb the menace both at the state and local government levels.
“They are the custodians of security in their areas and they know those youths who are involved in these illegal activities. We want them to help government identify them so we can factor them into the youth programmes for rehabilitation instead of blocking the roads and causing untold hardships to residents and other road users.” Akura said.
Alia also advised the monarchs to take charge of the security in their areas by being proactive in collaboration with security agencies to enable them quickly respond to attacks saying “if you see something, say something.”
He further reminded the chiefs to stick to their code of conduct by upholding the integrity of their offices and supporting government policies as well as ensuring its implementation in their various domains.
The governor assured that his administration would bring a new lease of life to citizens at the grassroots, and urged the monarchs to cooperate with government in achieving desired goals.