HON. KEN ACHABO TASKS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN ON PROMPT PAYMENT OF WORKERS’ SALARIES
Damian Desmond Igbasue Attah
The Special Adviser to the Governor, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon. Ken Achabo, has directed Council Chairmen in the state to ensure prompt payment of salaries to reduce the hardships faced by families and relatives of local government workers.
The Special Adviser stated this today during the monthly Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting held at the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Makurdi, where he noted that the Bureau has been consistent in the release of funds for payment of salaries to local governments as well as allocating funds to the Local Government Pensions Board for payment of Pensions and gratuities and would not condone any delay in transmitting same to the deserving beneficiaries.
Hon. Achabo further thanked the pensioners for their understanding, assuring that the Bureau will step up allocations to the Local Government Pensions Board soon as the state’s financial situation improves.
Responding on behalf of the Chairmen, the Chairman Guma Local Government and ALGON Chairman Hon. Caleb Abah, expressed appreciation to the Special Adviser for being proactive and ensuring that moneys meant for Local Governments are distributed in time for prompt payment of salaries to enable the workers attend to their family needs.
JAAC also approved the acquisition of a befitting place of abode to relocate the family of HRM Elias Okoyi Obekpa, Och’Idoma IV, who has gone on hunting expedition to pave way for preparations to select a new paramount Ruler for the Idoma nation.
Also speaking, the State Chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) Comr. Mike Vembe, thanked the Special Adviser for consistently approving and releasing funds for the prompt payment of Pensions and gratuities to the senior citizens.
Mr. Vembe however, appealed to Mr. Achabo to increase allocation to the board to enable it meet up with the increasing number of pensioners retiring on yearly basis, stressing that the lack of funding makes it difficult for a pensioner to receive his/her entitlements up to 4 times in 24 months.
On his part, the Executive Chairman Ukum Local Government Council Hon. Steve Ayua lamented the lack of cooperation from SUBEB LG Education Secretaries refusing to make available relevant financial documents required to carry out Teachers’ Verification Exercise at the various local government areas.
He appealed to the Special Adviser to laise with the SUBEB Chairman to release the said documents for them to have hitch free exercise.
Damian Desmond Igbasue Attah ,
Media Aide to the Special Adviser,
Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
November 26th, 2021
