Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured that all outstanding pensions and gratuities owed to retired civil servants from 2023 to 2025 will be settled before the end of January 2026.
The assurance was disclosed in a press statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
Governor Alia stressed that his administration has consistently placed priority on the welfare of civil servants, ensuring that salaries, pensions, and gratuities have been paid without disruption since he took office.
“We’ve been paying gratuities because I have taken the welfare of my staff and all civil servants very seriously.
In the last two and a half years, I have never missed the payment of salaries and pensions, including gratuities,” he stated.
He added that while previous efforts focused on clearing approved arrears, the government is now taking deliberate steps to ensure that all retirees under his administration receive their entitlements without delay.
“For those within the last two and a half years who have not received their gratuities, they will receive them in a matter of days. All gratuities within this period will be paid,” the governor assured.
Alia further noted that payments of other outstanding pension and salary arrears would continue, subject to the state’s financial inflows.
He reiterated his administration’s resolve to sustain a healthy financial flow while meeting its obligations to workers.
“I have no reason not to pay civil servants. They work for the state, and this is the only livelihood they know. That is why we do this very deliberately and diligently,” he said.
On the ongoing nationwide strike by resident doctors, the governor called for dialogue and negotiation, stressing that engagement remains the most effective means of resolving labour disputes.
He acknowledged that the doctors’ complaints could be genuine, including unresolved obligations inherited from previous administrations, which he said must be honoured, noting that governance is a continuum.
Governor Alia expressed the view that resident doctors in Benue State would not have joined the strike if it were not part of a nationwide action. He highlighted the grave risks posed by the disruption of medical services to families and communities.
“When you lose one person in the state, it is one too many. It haunts you,” he said, urging striking doctors to reflect on the humanitarian implications of their decision.
He described medical practice as a special calling and commended resident doctors and other health workers for their dedication and sacrifices, appealing to them to reconsider the strike in order to save lives.
The governor expressed optimism that the dispute would soon be resolved, noting that the Federal Government is actively working to address the concerns raised by the striking doctors.
