Gov. Ortom directs immediate disbursement of Paris Club refund

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has directed the state Ministry
of Finance to immediately commence the payment of salary arrears,
pensions and gratuity, from the Paris Club refund recently received by
the state.

The Governor gave the directive Monday at the burial of Sabastine
Dewua at Tse-Awuna, Mbachohon, Gwer West Local Government Area of
Benue State.

He stated that although the setting up of the Paris Club disbursement
committee was done with good intentions owing to public concerns, he
had decided to suspend the committee to pave way for speedy payment of
the funds to workers and retirees.

Governor Ortom noted that as part of the transparency policy of his
administration, he immediately made public the receipt of the N14.9
billion Paris Club refund even when other states were yet to disclose
theirs.

He reaffirmed his stand against the invasion of the state by armed
herdsmen, a position he attributed to the support he has enjoyed from
the Benue people.

The Governor urged his supporters to be peaceful in canvassing support
for his reelection, pointing out that power belongs to God and the
Creator gives it to whoever He wills.

While praying God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family
the fortitude to bear the loss, Governor Ortom described the late
Dewua as a truthful and God-fearing person who lived and died in
Christ.

In a funeral mass, parish priest in charge of St. Theresa's Catholic
Parish Naka, Reverend Fr. Titus Igyese, urged the living to respect
life more than death, stressing that one who lives a godly life fears
no death.

The immediate younger brother of the deceased, Brigadier General
Charles Dewua, on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to
Governor Ortom, the Church and everyone who stood by the family during
the sickness, death and burial of their father.