ORTOM ANNOUNCES PLANS TO REDUCE STATE WAGE BILL.

ORTOM ANNOUNCES PLANS TO REDUCE STATE WAGE BILL.
By Charles Iornumbe and Henry Ibya
GOVERNOR SAMUEL ORTOM OF BENUE STATE
Governor Samuel Ortom has announced government's readiness to reduce the State wagebill from Seven point Eight billion naira to Four billion naira.
Governor Ortom announced this during a church service on Sunday at the Chapel of Grace,Benue Peoples House,Makurdi.
He explained that the high wagebill his administratiom had incured making it difficult to pay monthly salaries and gratiuities of pensioners in the State must be addressed holistically.
Governor Ortom said all ghost workers would be eliminated from the State government's payroll to pave the way for concentration on genuine ones in addition to other proactive actions in line with prevailing economic realities.
The Governor maintained that the situation has made it mandatory for his government to take drastic measures at sanitising the work force to a level whereby it would be easy to service effectively.
Governor Ortom called for sustained prayers to enable his administration succeed,expressing hope that God would hear every prayer made for him by well meaning People of the State to surmount all challenges before him.
He expressed the conviction that the prayers Nigerians had for President Mohammadu Buhari when he was sick had been answered by God as he came back healthy and strong from medical vacation and was doing well in office.
During an interview with News Men shorty after the service,Governor Ortom stressed the importance of Nigeria's unity,saying that the President's commitment to one Nigeria ought to be appreciated and supported by all.
On President Buhari's applause to his administration's agricultural policies in his Independence broadcast,Governor Ortom said it was gratifying that his government and People of the State were being appreciated for efforts to embrace the sector for a possible turn around.