- Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has issued a directive for the disbursement of the N14.9 billion Paris Club fund recently received by the state government
- Ortom ordered the state finance ministry to take over the disbursement of the fund immediately
- He said that the fund will be used to pay salary arrears, pensions and gratuity of workers and retirees
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has ordered the direct disbursement of the N14.9 billion Paris Club refund to beneficiaries.
This followed the suspension of the committee earlier set up and headed by the state deputy governor, Benson Abounu, for the disbursement, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
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NAN reports that the fund from the federal government would be used to defray salary arrears, pensions and gratuity of workers and retirees.
A statement by Ortom’s chief press secretary, Terver Akase, on Monday, September 24, in Makurdi directed the state finance ministry to take over the disbursement with immediate effect.
According to the statement, the directive is issued during a burial ceremony in Dewua, a suburb in Gwer west local government council.
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He said that the suspension of the committee was to address public concerns and speed up the fund disbursement to benefitting workers.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com reported Ortom, who confirmed that he received N14.9 billion final tranche of the Paris Club refund from the federal government, vowed to use 80% of the funds for payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.
According to a statement obtained by NAIJ.com through Ortom's chief press secretary, Terver Akase, the governor confirmed the receipt of the fund on Thursday, September 20.
The statement read: ''Ortom has also set up a committee headed by the deputy governor, Engineer Benson Abounu to work out modalities for immediate disbursement of the funds.
''Also on the committee are the head of service, finance commissioner, adviser on local government and chieftaincy affairs, adviser on labour matters, chairmen of Nigerian labour congress, trade union congress and Nigerian union of pensioners, the state chapters.
''The decision of Governor Ortom to involve key stakeholders in disbursement of the Paris Club refund is in line with his policy of transparency and accountability.''
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Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Tuesday 25 September 2018