The Benue State Government has approved N2.9 billion for the implementation of the second phase of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus,NG-CARES 2.0, as well as N2.3 billion for the payment of 12 months’ salary arrears owed to academic staff of tertiary institutions in the state.
The approvals were among major decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Makurdi.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, said council also approved the implementation of 25 and 35 per cent salary increments for members of the Academic Staff Union of Tertiary Institutions of Benue State,ASUTIBS, with an additional monthly commitment of N191.9 million.
He further disclosed that approval was granted for the domestication of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure,CONLESS, for staff of the State House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Commission.
The Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, Dr. Ortese Yanmar, identified some of the beneficiary communities as Ihugh, Bako, Abaki, Tse-Alia, Mbausu, Ngehe, Hembe and Anhyula. He explained that the variation became necessary due to increased costs of materials, expressing confidence that the project would be completed before Christmas.
On NG-CARES 2.0, the Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Michael Oglegba, said the programme had previously supported rural communities through borehole projects, school renovations, health facilities, cash transfers and business support, adding that the fresh approval would sustain and expand the interventions across the state.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission, Prof. Jerome Andohol, disclosed that council approved the domestication of the National Chart of Accounts and International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IPSAS, compliant budgeting for local governments.
He explained that the initiative would harmonise local government budgeting and financial reporting, strengthen accountability and promote efficient utilisation of public resources.
Prof. Andohol added that the state’s social register currently contains close to 500,000 vulnerable households, representing approximately 1.7 million people, captured under the NG-CARES intervention framework.
