Governor Hyacinth Alia Has No Time
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
OpenLife Nigeria reports that the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Sir Tersoo Kulas has revealed that the series of negative stories emanating from the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, is a mere distraction with the sole aim of diverting his attention from restoring the lost glory of the State in the past eight years.
Sir Kula, made the disclosure on Friday when the new leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council and the entire members paid him a courtesy call.
He explained that the Governor is an ordained Priest, a Counselor, an administrator and a politician who is always busy fulfilling his campaign promises to the Benue people since he assumed office as the Governor and his good works are speaking for him already and his administration will not always join issues with the opposition through rejoinders writing.
He appreciated Members of Chapel for the honor given to him as one of their own and identifying with him on his appointment as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
He acknowledged the support of the Chapel for their constant projection of the good policies and programmes of the administration of Alia.
Kula also revealed that the recently concluded first phase of staff verification and payroll audit for teachers and staff of local government areas was borne out of the desire of the Governor to make both the local government and the entire civil service work, emphasized that the present administration is hinged on accountability, responsiveness, transparency and sincerity.
He stated that 2, 500 ghost workers were discovered during the verification exercise, adding that the ugly is being perpetrated by some Senior staff in the civil service who were using the avenue to draw monies from the state government coffers.
On the issue of payment of salaries, CPS explained that apart from teachers and the local government staff, the governor has been able to pay two months salaries to workers in the state, despite inheriting empty treasury and added that those yet to get their salaries as a result of the exercise, will receive their payment soonest.
He tasked his colleagues, Members of the Correspondents’ Chapel to continue with their constitutional responsibility of information gathering and dissemination by projecting the good policies of the Alia administration and assured them of a harmonious working relationship.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Benue State Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Emmanuel Antswen, explained that the purpose of the visit was to congratulate the CPS who was the former Chairman of the Chapel, and ntroduce the new leadership of the Chapel to him.
He urged the CPS to always avail himself to members to enable them get clarifications on grey areas .
In their separate comments, elder Philip Dzeremo of NAN, Martins Kajo of The Will and Hope Abah of Daily Trust, all congratulated the CPS on his appointment and charged him to put welfare of members on first line charge and said they have no doubt about the capability of the CPS to deliver on his new assignment while promising to give him all the support to succeed.