Dear Governor Hyacinth Alia,
I hope this letter meets you well. As you continue to serve the great people of Benue State, I urge you to address the pressing issue of slave wages paid to Benue workers.
It’s unacceptable that while other states are moving towards ₦70,000 minimum wage, Benue workers are still stuck at ₦18,000, of which after subtracting the taxes etc, they end up taking home N11,500 or less per month despite the high cost of living, transportation, and food.
This disparity is a stark reminder of the value placed on their labor and dedication. You would have understood by now that the Civil Servants in Benue State are over 50% drivers of Benue economy. They contribute massively in multiplying the IGR for the general progress of the state and it is only justifyable to have the state treating them back with absolute care.
Sir, it is not enough to resolve in fixing old buses of Benue Links Company Limited to facilitate transportation within Makurdi township. Civil Servants are spreader across the entire State and are really suffering in every ramifications including hunger, transportation, medical and other basic needs. Easing transportation within Makurdi is just like a drop of water in the ocean.
I implore you to also consider the plight of the huge percentage of non-workers and develop policies to eradicate their suffering. Many people are helpless in some parts of the State as we speak and needs help. The only way to help them is by implemeting pro-people policies with sound economic strategies which are lacking. How can Tomatoes for instance be wasting in Benue State markets like Oranges waste regular when a basket of Tomatoes in neighboring States and other cities is above #70,000? This is a call for concern.
The current economic situation has led many young girls into prostitution due to hardship. It’s crucial that your administration provides a safety net and opportunities for economic empowerment for Benue youth to help reduce this obvious futuristic dangers.
It is time to also return Benue IDPs back to their ancestral homes.Benue is never a war zone. The evil with Benue is leadership and this is obvious. It is time to fulfill your promises and it is never a rocket science to achieve this.
Key Areas of Focus:
- Return IDPs to Their Homes: Ensure the safe return of Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes, providing them with necessary support and resources.
- Mechanized Farming and Industrialization: Leverage Benue’s position as the “Food Basket of the Nation” by investing in mechanized farming and industrialization. This will reduce waste of perishable produce and create jobs.
- Productive Economy: Transition from a consumption economy to a productive one, focusing on agriculture, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
- Education and Skills Development: Provide training and education programs to equip Benue youths with skills to contribute to the state’s economic growth.
- Social Welfare Programs: Implement social welfare programs to support vulnerable populations, including the elderly, women, and children.
Any positive leadership with commitment has the potentials to transform Benue State and it is highly expected from you considering the massive support that was given to you by the Benue people.
I urge you to prioritize the welfare of Benue people more and focused in taking bold steps towards a brighter future of the state rather than politicising every issues in the state for political gains.
Sincerely,
Agena Robert Ande
A Human Rights and Political Activist
