A group of pensioners operating under the auspices of ‘Concerned Pensioners Association of Benue’ have commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for prioritizing their welfare through the regular payment of their monthly pensions.
The group gave the commendation during a solidarity rally in support of the Alia led administration in Makurdi, the state capital.
Addressing the pensioners at the government house, chairman of the group, Hon. Alexis Akosu Orban, recalled how they had highlighted their problems and grievances from the last administration to Governor Hyacinth Alia, and had pleaded with him to address same, which according to them, took Governor Alia a short while to proffer solutions to them.
“You regularized the payment of our monthly salaries which was paid three times in one year by the previous administration. You placed all the pensioners on the payroll immediately after retirement. You cleared the gratuity of those retired during your predecessor’s administration to pave way for you to face only the arrears incurred by the previous administration. Your Excellency, you have done well. Carry go”.
The group also thanked Governor Alia for cancelling the nickname of ‘dead people’ which was given to pensioners by the last administration, adding that life has returned to pensioners in the state.
While highlighting some of the achievements of the governor in office, such as the construction of road networks within Makurdi and other towns, provision of 100 buses to Benue Links Company, reconstruction of the Benue State House of Assembly Complex, Initiation of the WAEC and NECO registration for Benue State indigenes schooling in all government schools across the state, the group said they were glad to have contributed to the election of the governor into office.
They said that the governance offered by the present administration in the state was the reason most of the cases instituted against the state government by pensioners were withdrawn.
He called on the governor to implement the report on the harmonization of the pension rates as enshrined in the 1999 constitution, seek alternative funds to clear arrears of pensions and gratuity which have risen above N100 billion and to also appoint more of their members into his government.
Responding, Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Paul Biam, said the solidarity rally was a big defining moment for his administration.
The Governor thanked the pensioners for trusting him with their votes and also for withdrawing the cases that were instituted against the government, promising to do more not just for the pensioners, but for all the workers and entire people of the state.
