Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured workers in the state to expect their pay as from June 25.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured workers in the state to expect their pay as from June 25.
The governor stated this yesterday in Makurdi during a state broadcast to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
Alia, who was criticised by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for nullifying the recruitment of over 5,000 workers employed last month, said that his administration did not mean witch-hunt, but to correct anomalies of the past administration in the state.
The governor said that his decision to rescind the recruitment exercise carried out in the Benue State Civil Service by the outgone administration was because due process was not followed and the recruitment was lopsided, favouring only a few local councils to the detriment of others.
He said his administration had to take the hard decision because there was also no budgetary provision made in respect of the recruitment, and the solicitor-general of the state was also not carried along during the entire process.
The governor, who spoke on those that were promoted to the position of permanent secretaries but asked to return to their previous posts, said their promotions were done as a cover-up without due process.
He said the decision to revoke such promotions was in the best interest of the state.
Recalling the importance of June 12 and democracy to Nigerians, Alia said it is through the instrumentality of democracy that he has been given the mandate to steer the affairs of the state for the next four years and called for support and prayers of all Benue citizens for his administration.
He, however, appreciated his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for standing by him, as well as all the market men and women, Okada riders and everybody who supported him to emerge Benue State’s sixth democratically elected governor.
He also encouraged the people not to despair, as according to him, “a new Benue is possible,” with everyone’s support.