Workers Day: What Gov. Ortom told Benue civil servants on May 1st

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has thanked the organised labour in Benue State for its massive support for him in his re-election just as he called for an upward review of the Revenue allocation in favour of states to facilitate the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Governor Ortom who spoke through his deputy, Engr Benson Abounu at this year’s workers’ day celebration at the IBB Square Makurdi, expressed “profound gratitude” to Benue workers for making possible his re-election as governor of the state. He was particularly appreciative to the leaders and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their understanding, patience and patriotism at a time they were unable to pay workers their salaries at the end of each month.

Governor Ortom said the government would not take for granted the action of the workers and would do everything to ensure that the welfare of workers is given priority attention.
He stated that Benue State agrees with the N30, 000 new minimum wage and will soon meet with organised Labour towards its implementation, while machinery has been set in motion to work towards the payment of the arrears of salaries owed all Benue workers as well as pensioners.
Governor Ortom, however, appealed to the federal government to review upward the revenue formula, explaining that “a situation where the federal government takes 51% of the federal allocation and leaves only 26% to the states and 21% to the local governments, obviously has become untenable and now, unacceptable”.

Speaking earlier, State chairman of the NLC, Comrade Godwin Anya told Governor Ortom that Benue workers voted massively for him because as the person owing them, they believed he understood the issues, and it would be easier for him to address them.
He called on the governor to keep his part of the social contract with them and pay them everything he owes them. He also called on him to address other pressing problems bordering the workers, among them 65 years of retirement age for non-teaching staff at the tertiary institutions, incremental arrears of 2018, as well as the salary arrears for state and local government staff and teachers.

The colourful celebrations, which featured a march past by the various affiliate unions of the NLC, and the cutting of the May Day cake was graced by Benue State chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Akpen Leva, who congratulated the Benue workers and also called on them to regard their work as sacred responsibilities entrusted in their care.