Benue Govt Approves ₦2.9bn Allowance For Varsity Workers
Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue
Benue State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday approved the release of N2.9 billion allowances of staff of Father Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, and the College of Health Sciences.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo, who briefed newsmen after the meeting said the approval was in response to the recent agitations by the workers over unpaid entitlements.
He said that the approval was based on the report of the committee set up by the government, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, on the agitations of workers in the two tertiary institutions.
“Their report, approved by council, ensures the settlement of the allowances to maintain industrial peace in the education sector.
“This decision reflects government’s commitment to promoting education as a vital tool for social development and ensuring that our children do not suffer unnecessarily,” Dr. Egbodo stated.
He also said the new law that merged the Bureau for Quality Assurance and the Education Board has been assented to by the Governor.
The Commissioner said that the merger would harmonize the activities of both agencies to enhance coordination, improve efficiency, and strengthen quality education delivery in the state.
Dr. Egbodo defended government’s decision to secure its first loan since inception, saying that the funds would go to infrastructural projects and will be managed with utmost transparency.
He explained that under the condition for the loan, payments will not be made directly to government but through the bank to contractors, based on verified certificates of work done.
“This ensures judicious use of funds and alignment with the government’s development priorities,” he emphasized.
The Commissioner revealed that the government is revisiting the white paper concerning the Bureau of Agricultural Mechanization.
A previous committee had identified genuine contractors for payment over the supply of agricultural inputs, but during implementation, discrepancies were found in the computations.
“Government wants to ensure no contractor is shortchanged, and that no payments are made for jobs not executed,” he said. “Therefore, the white paper is being reviewed to correct any detected errors before disbursement.”
On the issue of donations made for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yelwata and other areas, Dr. Egbodo stated that government has constituted an implementation committee comprising traditional rulers, chairmen of Makurdi and Guma local governments, and representatives of IDPs.
These committees, he said, are working jointly to identify priority areas for intervention to ensure funds are used effectively and transparently. He acknowledged public concerns over alleged misappropriation of the donations, but assured that government is closely monitoring the process to maintain accountability and fairness.
“We want to ensure that all contributions made towards supporting displaced persons are properly utilized for their benefit,” he said. “Government remains committed to returning these victims to their homes and restoring their livelihoods.”
Dr. Egbodo reiterated the state government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and people-centered governance, and appealed to the public to disregard unfounded reports aimed at discrediting government efforts.
“At the end of the day, when you see the impact of these interventions, it will be evident that the information being peddled by detractors was not based on truth. The government is working tirelessly to uplift the lives of its citizens,” he added.
