Ortom, Alia Trade Words Over Pensioners’ Plight

Benue State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has criticized the treatment of pensioners in the state by the PDP led administration, saying it is a sin against humanity.

Fr. Alia said he was saddened by the news of Benue pensioners on the street under the scorching sun in protest of the non-payment of 111 months of their gratuities and pensions.

But in reaction, the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Terver Akase explained that “despite the paucity of funds, Governor Samuel Ortom is working assiduously to clear outstanding salaries, and with the domestication of the PENCOM law, which the state  has already contributed over five billion naira to address the challenge of pensions in the near future.

According to him, “the Ortom-led administration inherited pension and salary arrears of N70 billion, but has drastically reduced it to just above N30 billion. The Governor has been paying pensioners, despite the lean resources.”

Akase lamented that  Fr. Alia has made unfounded claims that the state government is “insensitive” and is treating civil servants and retirees “like slaves” when, with meagre available resources occasioned by harsh economic realities, the Benue State government  has been making relentless efforts to pay workers emoluments and pensions.