Garnishee Orders: Alia appeals to Benue pensioners to withdraw court cases

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has appealed to pensioners to consider withdrawing the court cases they have filed against the state government.

The appeal is part of the state government’s efforts to address a series of garnishee orders issued against it.

Garnishee orders are legal proceedings in which a creditor seeks the court’s intervention to order a third party to surrender any of the debtor’s property or funds in their possession to the creditor.

The governor’s plea was made during a stakeholder meeting between the state government and pensioners. Representing the governor at the meeting was Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, the Commissioner for Justice and Public Order.

Governor Alia acknowledged the state’s outstanding pension allowances and gratuity arrears, which amount to N163.7 billion, inherited from the previous administration. He assured pensioners that these arrears would be gradually settled and highlighted his administration’s commitment to paying pension allowances promptly, as well as providing entitlements to those who retired during his tenure.

Mnyim, the Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, emphasized that the governor’s calls for the withdrawal of court cases were not threats but sincere appeals, aimed at enabling the state government to focus on regular pension payments and gratuities.

The Commissioner urged pensioners to consider the governor’s appeal and allow the government to serve them better.

During the meeting, Mr. Michael Vembe, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, expressed gratitude to Governor Alia for fulfilling his campaign promises by ensuring timely payment of pension allowances. Vembe, however, requested the implementation of consequential adjustment harmonization and palliatives for pensioners. He also urged the governor to provide free healthcare services for pensioners at primary health centers, given that many of them still earn a meager monthly income and struggle with medical expenses.