From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue state government has set in place machinery to review salaries of civil servants so as to take care of the minimum wage of primary school teachers.
The state’s Head of Service Mr. Terna Ahua and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. David Salifu, who revealed this to newsmen at Government House, Makurdi yesterday, also intimated that a technical committee, comprising of assistant directors and directors, will be constituted to review the salaries of the state civil servants.
He said the governor has already held meetings with trade unions, adding that another one has been scheduled with other stakeholders, with a view to reaching a compromise in the reduction of the salaries.
He decried the shortfall in federal revenue, stoppage of Excess Crude funds as well as augmentation funds accruing to the state, noting that it has greatly affected the State and as such, its inability to continue with the minimum wage for civil servants.
“We want to appeal to the civil servants as well as political office holders to see reasons with the state government so that our children can return to classes”, he said.
There are over 29,000 primary school teachers in the State. It was noted that the teachers are demanding for N1.850 billion for payment minimum wage to them. However, the state is arguing that they have been receiving over 60 % fall in their inflow from federal allocation. This is just as the wage bill of the state civil service is said to be over N2.8 billion while that of local government areas is N2. 7billion.
The teachers’ strike has lasted for over 4 months now.
