Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has promised to pay the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage agreed between the Federal Government and the organised labour.Alia, who disclosed this on Friday while answering questions from newsmen in Makurdi, said that workers needed to be appreciated.

The Federal Government and the organised labour had on Thursday, announced the sum of N70,000 as the new minimum wage in the country. He said with focus and the improved internally generated revenue, his administration would pay the new wage. The governor said despite the current economic situation in the country, things were gradually moving in the State because of careful planning and prudent application of resources.“Even our internally generated revenue (IGR) has increased. So it is now left for us to close all loopholes to see how much we can cash in to do many other things including the payment of salaries.“Why not, we can pay. I’m focused. What is agreed by the Federal Government is definitely what we the sub-nationals can also just queue in to.“Without the workforce, we wouldn’t have any center of any government. So we need to appreciate our civil servants or workforce in a way approved by the Federal Government and the Labour organisations synonymously so that the system can work”he said.Earlier, the governor while inaugurating the governing councils of seven State tertiary institutions charged them on corporate governance.He said the future of the institutions was on their shoulders therefore, they must not fail in the discharge of their responsibilities.The governor urged them to concentrate on policy enhancement that would improve the quality of education at the institutions to meet global standards.Alia said the government would provide them with a working guidelines for efficient service delivery.Responding on behalf of those inaugurated, Mr Paul Chukwuma, Chairman/Pro-chancellor Benue State University (BSU) promised to deliver on their mandate.Chukwuma said State institutions needed adequate support to carryout research and development.He said they would use their connections to facilitate support to the various institutions.Those inaugurated include Paul Chukwuma, Chairman/Pro-chancellor Benue State University (BSU) Makurdi, while Prof Shagbaor Wegh, Mr Simon Orkuma , Dr Diana Ochoga and Mr Michael Gongul are members.At Benue State Polytechnic, Ogbokolo – Dr Demian Anyam is the Chairman, while Mr Sam Godday , Dr Kelvin Kandev, Mr Samuel Awuhe and Mr Peter Egbodo are members.In College of Education, Oju – Prof. Member George-Genyi is the Chairman, Prof Emmanuel Otor, Prof Joseph Kerker, Habiba Ochifu, and Rev. Elijah are to Serve as members.College of Education, Katsina-Ala has Prof. Gabriel Moti as Chairman, Chief Johnson Onoja, Victoria Ekwo, and Patience Iorun as members.Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi – Prof. Okpe Okpe is the Chairman, Mr Bitacy Jirgba, Dr Shiminenge Atime, Mr Edo Egboja and Mr Achihin Hur are members.Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yandev has Dr Victoria Pila as Chairman, Mr Sam Agwa, Mr Nicholas Ugallali, Mrs Theresa Ikwe and Mr Joseph Adi as members.In College of Health Technology, Agasha – Dr Bem Vangerwua is the Chairman, Dr Silas Ge, Alice Yaaju, Rebecca Tor and Comfort Anongu are to serve as members.(NAN)