Benue state government has alleged that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is frustrating the efforts of Governor Samuel Ortom to access funds to offset the backlog of salaries and pension of workers in the state.
Speaking on Brothers FM 90.5FM current affairs programme, “Burning Issues” Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Terver Akase, stated that the Federal Government is victimizing Ortom on critical issues of governance such as security and welfare of the people.
Mr Akase expressed displeasure over the insensitivity of some Benue politicians whom he noted were collaborating with the Federal Government to play politics with the welfare of workers and retirees saying such conspirators were enemies of the state
He described as punitive, the decision of the Federal Government to block Benue State Government from accessing the N41 billion loan approved by the State House of Assembly.
He expressed the Governor’s commitment to the welfare of the people, disclosing that payment of salaries, pensions and gratuity was ongoing, despite the frustration faced by the state Government.
He challenged the main opposition party in the State, the APC to be more constructive in criticizing policies and programmes of the Ortom administration, rather than relying on falsehood, campaign of calumny and mischief.
On the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff University Union, ASUU, Akase described the situation as unfortunate and called on the Federal Government to properly fund education and honour its agreements with labour unions.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Ortom to fairness, justice and equity, saying the Governor has placed education on the front burner by placing salaries of Benue State University academic and non-academic staff on first line charge.
Mr Akase also refuted allegations by the opposition APC that the state government has received N17 billion without accounting for it challenging them to bring forth evidence of financial impropriety against the Governor.