Benue Govt begs pensioners to withdraw court cases filed against Alia’s administration
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Government has appealed to pensioners in the State to withdraw all cases filed in court against the Governor Hyacinth Alia administration.
The State government through the Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, made the appeal at a stakeholders meeting held with pensioners in Makurdi, the State Capital.
He explained that some of the court cases resorted to consent judgement and subsequent garnishee orders, a situation he described as challenges facing the new administration since it came into office in May 29, 2023.
The Commissioner further explained that arrears of pension allowances and gratuities of 42 and 96 months from the State and Local Government Areas (LGAs), respectively amounting to N163.7 billion were inherited from the immediate past government led by Chief Samuel Ortom.
The AG stated that the present administration has been faithful to his campaign promises to pensioners by paying their allowances every month, adding that those who had retired since the assumption of office of Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia have also received their gratuities.
He said, “This meeting is at the instance of the governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to see how the government can alleviate the plight of pensioners in the State.
“Since the governor assumed office, our senior citizens have been receiving their allowances every month. Those who retired since the coming of this government have all been paid their gratuities.
“All the calls to withdraw cases from court do not amount to threat, but an appeal to all of us so as to allow the Governor concentrate on regular payment of pension allowances and gratuities.
“As at the time the Governor assumed office, the State pensioners were being owed 42 months and local government 96 months, all amounted to N163.7 bill,” the Justice and Public Order Commissioner stated.
Speaking at the meeting, the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Michael Vembe, appreciated the Governor for keeping to his campaign promises by paying pension allowances promptly.
He called on the governor to implement the consequential adjustment harmonisation, give palliatives in either monetary or food items to pensioners and to give free treatment to pensioners at the primary health centers across the State, lamenting that most of the pensioners still earn N2,000 monthly and can hardly do anything with it.
Speaking on behalf of retired permanent secretaries, Hyacinth Ikyagba said the retirees went to court because the immediate past administration did not fulfill its part of the bargain to pensioners.
