Benue: Gov Alia lying, Ortom paid 91 out of 96 months’ salaries – Tever Akase

Media aide to former governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Tever Akase, on Monday accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of lying against his principal.

Akase disclosed that out of 96 months in eight years, Ortom was able to pay 91 months’ salaries to state civil servants.

Featuring on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Akase wondered how the five months he left “metamorphosed into four years.”

Akase challenged the governor to be accountable for how much he has been receiving.

He said: “Governor Alia is not telling Benue people how much he is receiving. Since he came in, there has not been any accountability briefing. As we speak, local government workers are on strike because Alia has not paid them the salaries for March and April.

“I have just told you that out of 96 months in eight years, Ortom was able to pay 91 months, so if he paid 91 months, how is that four years? How has five months metamorphosed into four years?

“This is the question, Governance must come with honour. When you are the governor of a state, be truthful to the people because you are representing the people, so speak with honour and integrity.

“Now, Alia said he is constructing one kilometre of road at N5.2 billion. For example, the road from Wurukum to Air Force Base is 13 kilometres, but Alia has approved N68 billion, and when you calculate by 13 kilometres, you will have 5.2 billion per kilometre, so how is this sincere to the people?

“A governor of the state comes to television, instead of telling the people the truth, he is telling lies; you have to be truthful, there should be integrity in governance.”