Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has received commendations from pensioners in the state, for prioritising their welfare through the regular payment of their monthly pensions.This is contained in a statement by Bridget Ikyado, Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications on Thursday in Makurdi
The group under the auspices of ‘Concerned Pensioners Association of Benue’ gave the commendation Wednesday, during a solidarity rally in support of the Alia led administration.
In an address read by the chairman of the group, Hon. Akosu Orban Alexis, at the Government House Makurdi, the Concerned Pensioners recalled how they had highlighted their problems and grievances occasioned by the outgone administration in the state to Governor Hyacinth Alia, and had pleaded with him to address same, which according to them, it took the governor a short while to provide solutions such grievances.
In their words, ” you regularised the payment of our monthly salaries which was paid 3 times in one year by the previous administration. You placed all the pensioners on the payroll immediately after retirement. You cleared the gratuity of those retired during your administration to pave way for you to face only the arrears incurred by the previous administration. Your Excellency, you have done well. Carry go”
The group also thanked the governor for cancelling the nickname of ‘dead people’ which was given to pensioners during the outgone administration, adding that life has returned to Benue pensioners in the state, courtesy of the governor.
While highlighting some of the achievements of the governor in office, such as the construction of road networks within Makurdi and other towns, the provision of 100 buses to Benue Links Company, reconstruction of the Benue State House of Assembly Complex, Initiation of the WAEC and NECO registration for Benue State indigenes schooling in all Government schools across the state, the group said they were glad to have contributed to the election of the governor into office.
They added further that the governance offered by the present administration in the state is the reason most of the cases instituted against the State government by pensioners have been withdrawn, calling on the governor to implement the report on the harmonization of the Pension rates as enshrined in the 1999 constitution, seek alternative funds to clear arrears of pensions and gratuity which have risen above 100billion and to also appoint more of their members into his government.
Responding, Governor Hyacinth Alia, said the solidarity rally by the Concerned Pensioners was a big defining moment for the administration.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt.Hon. Paul Biam, the governor thanked the pensioners for trusting him with their votes and also for withdrawing the cases that were instituted against the government, promising to do more not just for the pensioners, but for all the workers and entire people of the State.
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