June 12: Our govt not out to witch hunt —Gov. Alia

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has stressed that his administration have no room for witch hunt, avering it will not shy away from taking those decisions that may look harsh but have become the foundations on which to build a peaceful and prosperous Benue.

Governor Alia stated this in his broadcast message to Benue people to commemorate June 12 Democracy Day.

He seized the opportunity to vivdily explain to the people his recent decisions, maintaining that they are for the common good of the State.

“On the issue of Recruitments/ Appointments, we noted that it was full of irregularities. Specifically; the Civil Service Secretariat through the out-gone Administration recruited Two Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-Four (2,194) persons. The State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) employed Three Thousand, Twenty-Eight (3,028) against the approved number of Two Thousand, Five Hundred (2,500) only while Replacements made were over Five Thousand (5,000). Teaching Service Board (TSB) employed Two Thousand Five Hundred (2,500), that is, for Grant-in-Aid Schools, four in number, One Hundred and Twenty Teachers. Replacements were Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Four (2,484). In the entire exercise, due process was not adopted.

“In addition, the employment was lopsided in favour of few Local

Government Areas and did not take the principle of State character into consideration; also, no budgetary provision was made to cater for the Recruitments just as there was no advertisement in any media as required by the provisions of the rules guiding the Service on the matter; and no Interviews were conducted to determine suitability or otherwise of candidates. Above all, the Solicitor-General of the State was not involved at any stage of the Recruitment process.

“Benue sons and daughters, the appointment of persons to the post of Permanent Secretaries from January, 2023 to May, 2023 was reversed for the following reasons:

“Since the appointments were politically motivated, the Due Process required was not observed; “The eventual postings of the appointed Permanent Secretaries were mainly for cover up.

“In making the appointments, the State Character Principle was not observed.

In view of all the above, the hard decisions we are taking are for the common good.

“Good people of Benue, we are aware of the sufferings and hardships of our people especially Civil Servants and retirees due to non-payment of their Salaries, Pensions and Gratuities. We call for your patience and understanding as we are working hard to address these problems. Indeed, as from 25th of this month, Civil Servants should start expecting alerts for their payments.

“Similarly, I call on all Benue people not to despair but to keep hope alive because a new Benue is possible not through any other means but with all hands being on deck. We will not appreciate you enough so far for your prayers, support and cooperation”, Alia said.

He paid glowing tribute to late Moshood Kashimowo Olawale aka MKO for paying the price for the entrenchment of democracy.

“As we mark this day, it is necessary to note that for the past twenty-four, unbroken years, Nigerians have firmly resolved that the democratic culture of choosing who to lead them through the ballot is the best. There is no gain saying about the enormous benefits that we have made and are making from democracy at the National, State and Local Government levels”, he maintained.