Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has ordered the state’s Ministry of Finance to immediately commence payment of salary arrears, pensions and gratuity from the Paris Club refund received by the state.
Ortom gave the directive on Monday when he spoke at the burial ceremony of Sebastine Dewua at Tse-Awuna, Mbachohon in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.
The governor said that though the setting up of the Paris Club disbursement committee was done with good intentions, owing to public concerns, he had decided to suspend the committee to pave way for speedy payment of the funds to workers and retirees.
He explained 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.
Ortom further urged his supporters to be peaceful in canvassing support for his re-election as he pointed out that power belongs to God and the Almighty gives it to whomever He wills.
Earlier, the Parish Priest in charge of St. Theresa’s Catholic Parish, Naka, Reverend Fr. Titus Igyese, counselled the living to respect life more than death, stressing that one who lives a godly life fears no death.
In a vote of thanks, the immediate younger brother of the deceased, Brigadier General Charles Dewua, on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to the governor, the Church and everyone who stood by the family in their trying times.
