[EDITORIAL] Alia TV Network’s salary announcements in Benue raise red flags

IOMA VOICE EDITORIAL

In recent times, the emergence of the Alia TV Network, a platform seemingly aligned with the Benue State government, has raised significant concerns regarding its implications for the safety of the state’s workers.

While the intention behind the platform’s activities may be to promote government achievements, the unintended consequences of exposing workers to potential danger cannot be overlooked.

The Alia TV Network, through its Facebook page boasting over 133k followers, has consistently announced whenever the government disburses wages to individuals. While this might appear as a harmless gesture, the reality is far more complex. Announcing salary payments in such a public manner has inadvertently made workers targets for malicious intent.

Posts like “AUGUST Paid! Benue Civil Servants. Patiently Wait For Yours…” and “Gov. Alia to pay one month pension arrears to state and local government retirees” might seem innocuous, but they carry an inherent risk.

The platform’s handler, Comr. Asortar James Asortar, has taken it upon himself to respond aggressively to critics, even going as far as issuing statements in his role as MD, further intensifying concerns.

What’s even more alarming is the platform’s audacious arrogance and its propensity to aggressively shut down opposing views on the state’s policies.

However, the primary focus here should be on the practice of announcing salary payments as achievements, which is misplaced.

The payment of wages is an inherent right of workers, not a display of governmental success. It’s worth noting that states like Lagos and Rivers, with substantial wage bills, smoothly disburse salaries on a monthly basis without any fanfare.

In retrospect, during the tenure of Governor Samuel Ortom in 2015, a young individual who now serves as a lawmaker was responsible for announcing salary payments.

However, this practice was abandoned when the potential risks became evident. The individual realised that the constant announcements were inadvertently exposing workers to threats.

Regrettably, the Alia TV Network’s approach appears to have not learned from history. By publicizing when salaries are paid, they inadvertently alert potential wrongdoers to the financial status of civil servants.

While we all fervently hope for Governor Alia’s success in delivering the NEW BENUE promised during his election campaign, the tactics employed by his supporters, including the Alia TV Network, are troubling.

The Governor must remain vigilant and avoid being swayed by accolades from sycophants. The ultimate goal should be to safeguard the welfare and safety of Benue’s workers, ensuring that their hard-earned wages are not inadvertently putting them at risk.

In our collective pursuit of progress, it’s essential to prioritize the security of those who contribute so much to the state’s growth.