By Dele Ogbodo
The Governor of Benue State, Mr. Samuel Ortom, yesterday said the N7.8 billion monthly wage bill of the state is over bloated.
According to him, state workers are being owed 6 months and local government workers 8 months salary arrears because the N6.5 billion allocation from federation account and internally generated revenue falls short of its of N7.8 billion wage bill.
The governor who spoke at the launch of a book in honour of Dr. Mike Okibe Onoja, said the anti grazing bill which will commence implementation from November 1st will curtail the clash between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.
He said: “Other States have not been implementing minimum wage. What comes from the federation account and the IGR is N6.5 billion and our wage bill including pension is N7.8 billion.
“Even if you are paying just salaries and pension we have a shortfall of N1.3 billion every month and we have other serious demands that require money like security and others.
He said, government could not fulfill its agreement of paying one month salary every in every 2 months which has resulted in the arrears of 6 months at the state level and 8 months at the local government level is due to the shortfall we have this arrangement.
In the face of the current economic realities and hardship his government has been able to stabilize the State University that was shut before the present administration got to power.
He said: “We have stabilize the state and the anti grazing law will come into effect November 1st. My government is anchored on the few of God, we are truthful and accountable.”