The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has justified the new policy of his administration that declared Friday as work-free day for workers in the state’s employ, stressing that the decision was taken to allow workers ample time on their farms at the cropping season.
Addressing State House correspondents yesterday after meeting with the acting president, Yemi Osinbajo, the Governor averred that those criticizing the new policy are “ignorant”, stressing that, “The programme is well received.”
He went on to explain, “Benue State has comparative advantage in agriculture. Now, we are finding it difficult to pay salaries. We are down by four months at the state level and five months at the local government level.
“Coming to a state that is more of civil service, I have said that I have declared Fridays as public holidays because this is cropping period. They should go to the farm between now and the end of July that is cropping period.
This can help because no matter how little, whatever they contribute in agriculture will add value to the state economy.
“In any case, because there are no salaries, you know the morale of workers is even low. Apart from that, the money to prosecute good projects is not there.
“Even when you did not declare Friday, it is as good as they go there and still do nothing,” the Governor argued.
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