Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has set a committee to review the state minimum wage.
The committee is headed by the Secretary to the state government, with the Head of Service and several heads of MDAs as members.
According to a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula , the committee has since held its inaugural meeting and will be collaborating with organized labour.
Kula added that Gov. Alia has also sets in motion the process of unfreezing state’s accounts.
According to the statement titled “”UNFREEZING OF BENUE STATE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS AND THE ACTION ON MINIMUM WAGE”, Gov. Alia explained that the decision was necessitated by the genuine aim to protect government assets and to instill much needed accountability in public expenditure.
He said already the state Ministry of Finance was instructed to put measures in place to remove all restrictions placed on accounts, adding that the action is ongoing and will be completed as soon as possible.
“We are grateful for the understanding and support of the civil service and the good people of our dear state.
“On attainment of the objectives set by the government before the commencement of this policy, the Governor recently instructed the Ministry of Finance to put measures in place to remove all restrictions placed on accounts. This action is ongoing and will be completed as soon as possible.
“The Ministry of Finance will be providing updates on this and other matters relating to fiscal responsibility, public procurement and financial reporting to the public soon.
“In another positive development, the Executive Governor of Benue state, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has constituted a committee to review the minimum wage and make recommendations to the government. The committee is headed by the Secretary to the state government, with the Head of Service and several heads of MDAs as members. The committee has since held its inaugural meeting and will be collaborating with organized labour.
“The government of Benue state is conscious of the economic challenges the nation is experiencing and will do its best to provide its citizens succour in the prevailing circumstances.”
