By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi.
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, has restated his administration’s commitment to ensure that a permanent solution to the issue of pensions and gratuity arrears were addressed before the expiry of his tenure.
Governor Ortom, who made this disclosure while reacting to allegations from a group known as Benue Renaissance Network, claiming to be speaking on behalf of the Benue pensioners regarding non-payment of pensions, threatening to prevail on the presidency, the National Assembly and the governor’s forum to step into the matter, explained the group was speaking from a gross ignorant point as the Federal Government itself was fully aware that the issue of pensions in the State was not a deliberate attempt to deny the retirees of their entitlements.
In a statement made available to newsmen, signed by his chief press secretary, Mr. Terver Akase,in Makurdi, Ortom further revealed that his administration inherited a total of N70 billion of salary, pensions and gratuity arrears when he took over as Governor in 2015, adding that Government constant engagement through dialogue with the pensioners which the pensioners themselves appreciated has reduced the figure to less than 40 billion Naira.
He also stated that as part of measures to address the issue, his administration has domesticated the PENCOM law in the state believing that it was a sure way to ending the problem of accumulated pensions and gratuity.
The governor also disclosed that his Government also wrote to the Federal Government requesting for an assistance to enable it tackle the challenge, maintaining that the request is currently being processed by the CBN through the directives of Mr. President.
The governor described as deliberate mischief and falsehood allegations that the pensioners who staged a protest at Government House last year regarding the issue were manhandled by thugs, explaining that though he was out of town when the issue occurred he on getting the information immediately directed that the senior citizens be attended to while he made hasty arrangements to return home.
He advised the group to desist from falsehood as well as not allowing themselves to be used by some politicians who does not mean well for the state to cause mischief, if they were truly fighting for the interest of Benue pensioners.
The governor warned that Government would not hesitate to seek redress in court for any libelous statement from any group that would degenerate into personal attacks, name calling and encouraged the people to be constructive in their criticisms pointing out that it would enable Government to seat up
