By Peter Duru

MAKURDI—THE Benue State Government has openly declared its inability to pay workers’ monthly salaries because of the harsh economic situation that has taken its toll on the finances of the government.

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue State

Vanguard learned that the government has opted to alternate the salaries given the drastic drop in its revenue.

Confirming the development, Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on Media and ICT, Tahav Agerzua, said yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, that the governor and state labour leaders, weekend, reached an agreement that the federal allocation for October and November 2015 be merged to pay all workers in the state their October salaries.

Tahav said: “The agreement was reached after both parties reviewed the drastic drop in the October allocation to the state which was inadequate to pay salaries for the month.

“They weighed the option of paying some Ministries, Departments and Agencies while the others would wait for next month but chose the option of merging the allocation for two months to pay for one, so that all workers would be on the same page.

“The parties also considered internally generated revenue options and agreed that it was imperative to look inwards and beef up internal revenue generating sources as a permanent solution.

“That agreement was signed by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, State chairman, Godwin Anya, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Secretary, Torkuma Ifan, who stood for the unions while the Secretary to State Government, Mr. Targema Takema, signed for the state government.”

Vanguard learned that the parties agreed that the arrangement would subsist until the financial situation of the state improved.