Governor Hyacinth Alia has promised to clear outstanding pensions and gratuities of retired civil servants in the state accrued between 2023 and 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, on Sunday.
According to the statement, the governor promised to do so before the end of January 2026.
Mr Alia said his administration has treated the welfare of civil servants with utmost seriousness, stressing that salaries, pensions and gratuities have been paid consistently since he assumed office.
“We’ve been paying gratuities because I have taken the welfare of my staff and all civil servants very seriously. In the last two and a half years, I have never missed the payment of salaries and pensions, including gratuities,” the governor said.
Mr Alia explained that while priority was initially given to clearing approved arrears, deliberate steps are now being taken to ensure that all retirees during his administration receive their entitlements.
“For those within the last two and a half years who have not received their gratuities, they will receive them in a matter of days. All gratuities within this period will be paid,” Mr Alia stated.
He noted that payment of other outstanding pension and salary arrears would continue based on available financial inflows.
Mr Alia said that his government was determined to maintain a healthy flow of funds while meeting its obligations to workers.
“I have no reason not to pay civil servants. They work for the state, and this is the only livelihood they know. That is why we do this very deliberately and diligently,” said Mr Alia.
On the ongoing national strike by resident doctors, the governor urged dialogue and negotiation, describing conflict resolution as the best path to resolving labour disputes.
Mr Alia acknowledged that there may be genuine reasons for their agitation, including outstanding commitments by previous administrations, which he said must be honoured, as government was a continuum.
The governor expressed confidence that resident doctors in Benue would not have joined the strike but for its nationwide nature, noting that the disruption of medical services posed grave risks to families and communities.
“When you lose one person in the state, it is one too many.
It haunts you,” Mr Alia said, appealing to striking doctors to reflect on the humanitarian consequences of the action.
Describing medical practice as a special vocation, Mr Alia commended resident doctors and other health workers for their dedication and sacrifices and called for a reconsideration of the strike in the interest of saving lives.
He expressed optimism that the impasse would soon be resolved, adding that the federal government was working round the clock to address the issues raised.
(NAN)