April 10, (THEWILL) – The Directorate of Communication for Alia has alleged that it has come to its knowledge that the outgoing Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has forwarded a bill to the State House of Assembly that will place ex-governors, starting with him, on Gratuity, Pension and other benefits, even as the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr Wuese Orshi, has described such a publication as mischievous.
In a statement in Makurdi on Monday, the Director of Communications, Mr Tersoo Kula, said though the bill is yet to be presented and read for the first time on the floor of the Assembly, it stipulates that after May 29th, the would be ex-governor, Ortom, should be allowed by law to go with some choice properties of government in his possession as his post-service package.
“According to the bill, Governor Ortom should be built a Mansion of his taste in any part of the Country he chooses to stay after leaving Government House. His medical trips with those of his family members should be footed by the State in addition to a jumbo monthly pay package.”
According to Mr Kula, findings revealed that members of the Benue House of Assembly are disposed to passing the bill, but on condition that the governor must give them some gratifications before they will initiate action, which they consider to be more in governor Ortom’s interest.
“Consequently, is it not appalling that Ortom who has, through out his time as governor of Benue State treated pensioners with utmost barratry that slides most of them to destitution now wants to be a pensioner”, Mr Kula asked
The statement, therefore, call on all citizens of conscience to intervene by restraining their representatives at the Benue State House of Assembly from initiating any action that will facilitate passing the bill in order not to deepen what is described as despondency of the state.
However, in a swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Benue State House of assembly, Mr Wuese Orshi, debunked such isinuations.
“I have seen such a publication but so far as I know, the 9th Benue State House of Assembly is not in receipt of such a bill.
“I have not cared to respond to the mischievous publication because it bothers more on the governor and so, have left it for his media handlers to either respond or ignore it”, he stated.
