Paris Club Refund: Ortom Directs Immediate Payment of Salaries, Pensions
From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has directed the state Ministry of Finance to immediately commence the disbursement of salary arrears, pensions and gratuity from the Paris Club refund recently received by the state.
The Governor gave the directive at Tse-Awuna, Mbachohon, Gwer West Local Government Area of the State during the burial of Sabastine Dewua, a father to one his aides.
He stated that though the constitution of the Paris Club disbursement committee was done with good intentions but because to public concerns, he has decided to suspend the committee to pave way for speedy payment of the funds to workers and retirees.
Governor Ortom noted that as part of the transparency policy of his administration, he immediately made public the receipt of the N14.9 billion Paris Club refund even when other states were yet to disclose theirs.
He said he had remained firm against the invasion of the state as a result of the support he has enjoyed from Benue people.
He urged his supporters to be peaceful in canvassing support for his re-election, pointing out that power belongs to God who gives it to whoever He wills.
He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss, Governor Ortom described the late Dewua as a truthful and God fearing person who lived and died in Christ.
