STUDENTS GET READY AND START YOUR LECTURES, ORTOM SAYS

Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom has
declared that he has met all the conditions put
forward by striking lecturers under the auspices
of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU
Chapter of Benue State University, BSU in order
to bring an end to their 4-month old strike.
The Governor disclosed this when he received
final year medical students of the Benue State
University today at the Banquet Hall of Benue
Peoples House, Makurdi.
Governor Ortom said after the payment of May
salaries, he again ordered the payment of an
additional months salary in fulfilment of ASUU
conditions to call off their strike.
“We met with ASUU and other unions and they
insisted that we must pay their salaries, that was
one of the things that made us to approach the
house of assembly to allow us borrow money to
settle salaries.”
” (After payment of May salaries) ASUU came
back to tell us that unless we pay at least an
additional month, that the money we paid for
May went on voice mail and so there’s no credit
in the account, so unless we pay the one
month.”
“We decided that in order not to jeopardise the
resumption, let us go ahead and pay. Yesterday,
the teaching Hospital told me they have received
alert and so, will call off their strike.”
“I’m waiting for ASUU, the chairman is yet to get
back to me, but that was the condition they gave
me and I have met that condition because I want
the school to be open.”
“I’m looking forward that within the week, I
should have a positive response from ASUU. So,
on our part we have met all the requirements
with the limited and scarce resources that we
have.” He said with optimism.
Governor Ortom said, even though some monies
were given to the State from the federal
government, it wasn’t enough with the enormous
wage bill of the state which he placed at
N3.7bn; N2.9bn salaries and N800m overhead.
“In between, the federal government released
money from LNG account and the share of
Benue state is N2.7bn, it’s not enough to pay
one month salary based on what we met on
ground.”
He said the government was in the process of a
staff audit to flush out ghost workers in order to
reduce the wage bill of the state and hoped to
clear other arrears with help from the federal
government.
“Just last Friday, I directed that, well, the
auditing can still continue, but let’s go ahead and
pay. We can do the verification in the month of
July and if by the grace of God, we have a
bailout from the federation government, we can
now clear the arrears of salaries.”
The governor earlier, lamented to situation of the
BSU medical students that have spent 12 years
in the medical school already. He said money
had already been released for accreditation and
also promised to do everything it will take to
ensure that the first set graduate by September
this year.
“And for your interest, we are going to do more.
If there are other challenges that will help the
accreditation and will fasten your programme
and help you to graduate, we are ready to do
that.” He promised.
Earlier, the leader of the final year medical
students, Comrade Asue Moses Terfa narrated
the ordeal the students had passed through and
urged the Governor to work speedily in ensuring
that the first set graduate by September this
year and are adequately compensated, which the
governor affirmed to.
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