By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
BODY under the aegis of Benue People of Conscience, B-POC, has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the N41.39 billion loan and the last tranche of the Paris Club refunds of about N14.9 billion that was withdrawn by the Federal Government are released to Benue state government to pay pensions and salaries of workers in the state.
The body in a statement signed by John Orshio and Tersoo Iorbee, its chairman and secretary respectively and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday, stated that the N41.39 billion loan is not a fresh loan, but a revalidation of the N69 billion loan that was approved in 2015 out of which only N28 billion was released.
It expressed concern about the numerous challenges being faced by Benue people ranging from attacks by armed herdsmen which it said has left about two million people displaced in camps across the state.
B-POC said even if the Federal Government has has a bone to pick with Governor Samuel Ortom, it shouldn’t have allowed such issues to affect the good people of Benue state that are currently facing the above challenges.
“The situation where, Government would block Benue state from accessing the N41.39 billion loan approved by Benue State House of Assembly, to pay salaries of workers and pensions is uncalled for.
“In the event that the loan is approved, we are aware that Governor Samuel Ortom has put in place a machinery that will ensure that all those being owed salaries and pensions are paid to reduce their hardship,” the body stated.
It however wondered why the Federal Government gave bailout to other states who applied for the bailout in 2015 to cushion the effect of the recession and pay outstanding salaries and pensions but blocked Benue from accessing the funds.
“Although, some states, including Kogi State had received the balance of the bailout initially requested for, Benue is yet to access it, for political reasons.
“It is also a statement of fact that when you pay one person his/her salary many others benefit, down the line.
“Similarly, we understand that the Federal Government is yet to release the last tranche of the Paris Club refund of about N14.9 billion to the Governor Ortom administration.
“We also understand that for political reasons, some highly placed persons in the state have backed the actions of the Federal Government, for their own selfish gains, thus further impoverishing the people of the state.
“B-POC is aware that the pull-Ortom-down syndrome is being engaged to discredit him before the people of the state. It is also a plot to ensure that Governor Ortom does not emerge Senator of Benue North-West senatorial district, come 2023.
“Benue People of Conscience wishes to warn Benue sons whose stock-in-trade is to pull down other politicians for pecuniary gains to desists from this act or risk facing the law of karma in the near future.
“For avoidance of doubt, we would like to inform the Federal Government that all monies of state belongs to the people and as such, it should not be seen to extend favours to its favourites and exclude those perceived to be its enemies,” B-POC further stated.
