Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State has stated that the mandate of the his administration was to right the wrongs on the people of the state and rekindle their hope for better things to come.
He also explained that he nullified the last minute recruitments and appointments embarked upon by the immediate past Governor, Samuel Ortom because the appointments were ridden with irregularities, describing the whole process as a cover-up.
The Governor who disclosed this during a statewide broadcast to mark Democracy day in Makurdi on Monday said his victory was part of the gains of democracy.
While he observed that he could identify with the pains of the people of the state over months of unpaid salaries, he pledged to ensure the payment of salaries by 25th of June.
Empathizing with the people of the state, he said, “Good people of Benue, we are aware of the sufferings and hardships of our people especially Civil Servants and retirees due to non-payment of their Salaries, Pensions and Gratuities.
“We call for your patience and understanding as we are working hard to address these problems. Indeed, as from 25th of this month, Civil Servants should start expecting alerts for their payments.
“As we mark this day, it is necessary to note that for the past twenty-four, unbroken years, Nigerians have firmly resolved that the democratic culture of choosing who to lead them through the ballot is the best.
“There is no gainsaying about the enormous benefits that we have made and are making from democracy at the National, State and Local Government levels.
“Distinguished citizens, it is on the wings of democracy that we have been given the privilege to serve Benue people and we do not take this privilege for granted. We see our mandate as an opportunity to right the wrongs, to rekindle hope in the electorate that a better Benue is possible and indeed at hand.
“Similarly, I call on all Benue people not to despair but to keep hope alive because a new Benue is possible not through any other means but with all hands being on deck. We will not appreciate you enough so far for your prayers, support and cooperation.
“On a day as this, we cannot forget how broad-based our support has always being. We remember with joy how all the young people, many though not from our Party, campaigned with zest for us.”
Advancing reasons why he reverted the appointments made by his predecessor, Governor Alia said, “As we mark Democracy Day in Benue State, we owe you all explanations about the few key decisions we have taken so far.
“On the issue of recruitments/ appointments, we noted that it was full of irregularities. Specifically; the Civil Service secretariat through the out-gone administration recruited Two Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-Four (2,194) persons.
“The State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) employed Three Thousand, Twenty-Eight (3,028) against the approved number of Two Thousand, Five Hundred (2,500) only while replacements made were over Five Thousand (5,000). Teaching Service Board (TSB) employed Two Thousand Five Hundred (2,500), that is, for Grant-in-Aid Schools, four in number, One Hundred and Twenty Teachers. Replacements were Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Four (2,484). In the entire exercise, due process was not adopted.
“In addition, the employment was lopsided in favour of few Local Government Areas and did not take the principle of State character into consideration; also, no budgetary provision was made to cater for the Recruitments just as there was no advertisement in any media as required by the provisions of the rules guiding the Service on the matter; and no Interviews were conducted to determine suitability or otherwise of candidates.
“Above all, the Solicitor-General of the State was not involved at any stage of the Recruitment process.
“Distinguished Benue sons and daughters, the appointment of persons to the post of Permanent Secretaries from January, 2023 to May, 2023 was reversed because “the appointments were politically motivated, the Due Process required was not observed; the eventual postings of the appointed Permanent Secretaries were mainly for cover up; In making the appointments, the State Character Principle was not observed.”
Alia therefore stated that, “In view of all the above, the hard decisions we are taking are for the common good. We have no room for witch hunt in our Government.
“But we will not shy away from taking those decisions that may look harsh but have become the foundations on which to build the peaceful and prosperous Benue of our dreams”, he stated. End.
