Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has assured that the welfare of the state workers was his topmost priority.
Alia gave the assurance during the 2024 May Day celebration on Wednesday in Makurdi.
He reiterated that he prioritized the state workers welfare to enable them step up productivity.
He further stressed that workers were the bedrock of every administration, emphasizing that no administration could function without them.
He said that it was based on that premise that he was paying them their salaries as well as pensions on a regular basis.
He pledged to clear the backlog of salary arrears previously owed them, stating that workers truly deserve their wages.
"I consider the act of owing workers as a serious crime. They need to be paid regularly without fail in order to boost their morale thereby boosting productivity as well.
"I am renovating the state secretariat so that they will have a conducive atmosphere that will enable them discharge their duties creditably," Alia said.
He further admonished the workers not to allow political predators to divide him with them, advising that they should always resist all their antics because they were anti-masses.
Meanwhile, the state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Terungwa Igbe, commended the governor for prompt payment of their salaries and pensions.
Igbe further appreciated him for paying them one month salary arrears, appealing that he should clear all their outstanding arrears.
He also appealed to the governor to ensure that primary school teachers were paid on the 25th of every month like other state workers.
He appealed to the governor to also implement the new minimum wage immediately.
Earlier, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of the occasion, Mr Terna Akuma, appreciated Alia for his concern for their plight.
