Benue State Civil Servants will definitely begin to sing jubilant tones as the end to their prolonged demands for the clearance of their backlog of salaries owed them by previous administrations is in sight.
The moment has come as Governor Hyacinth Alia has made an official commitment to clear the remaining arrears soon.
The Governor while speaking Wednesday during a strategic engagement with the All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders and support groups at the IBB Square in Makurdi, said he remains committed to clearing inherited salary arrears as well as sustaining his administration’s ongoing developmental projects across the state.
Governor Alia who highlighted notable achievements of his administration recalled that his administration had inherited over three years of unpaid salaries but has made significant progress in offsetting the backlog.
“Between now and May, we will clear the remaining two months of arrears. We have not failed in paying salaries since we came on board, and we will not stop,” he stated, emphasizing his government’s resolve to prioritize workers’ welfare.
Governor Alia further noted that ongoing infrastructural and social sector interventions across the state are yielding visible results as according to him, over 564 primary schools have been rehabilitated, while primary healthcare centres are undergoing upgrades, alongside improvements in general and tertiary healthcare facilities.
The Governor also pointed to extensive road construction and rehabilitation projects across urban and rural areas, describing them as part of a deliberate strategy to open up communities and stimulate economic growth.
While outlining these achievements, the Governor gave strong credit to the Federal Government, noting that many of the gains recorded in Benue are supported by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. “When you see the projects we are executing and the progress being made, don’t just thank me, thank Mr. President. I am able to do this because of his support. He is deeply committed to Benue and does not leave any local government behind,” Alia said.
He revealed that President Tinubu maintains close interest in the state, often making inquiries about developments in specific local government areas, a gesture the governor described as evidence of genuine leadership and national inclusiveness.
The governor also linked improved security in parts of the state to federal intervention, noting that communities previously affected by insecurity are gradually returning to normalcy, with farmers resuming activities.
“Relative peace has returned, but we are working towards achieving absolute peace. Security is a collective responsibility, and we must continue to support our security agencies,” he added.
Soeaking on the state’s economy, Governor Alia expressed optimism about national recovery efforts, citing stabilizing indicators and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economy.
The Governor further called for unity among citizens and sustained support for ongoing reforms, stressing that development in Benue requires collective effort and alignment with national policies. “We are moving forward. The progress is visible, and we must sustain it for the benefit of our people,” he said.
Party leaders and stakeholders in their various remarks, commended the governor’s performance, particularly in infrastructure, workers’ welfare, and inclusive governance, while also expressing confidence in continued collaboration with the Federal Government.
