Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has promised to settle the entitlements of retired civil servants within four months after departure.

Mr Alia made the promise on Wednesday in Makurdi during a meeting with heads of ministries, departments and agencies.

“Going forward, retired civil servants have a maximum of 120 days to get their entitlements. This is our commitment to them,” he stated.

He urged the officials to ensure discipline, hard work and diligence while emphasising accountability, transparency, confidentiality and teamwork. He also urged them to be punctual.

“If you come late to work, close when you want or you are absent, how do you want your subordinates to act differently? There has to be a drastic change in attitude towards work for optimal results. That is what the Benue people want from us,” stated the Benue governor.

He added, “Accountability has to be built in your heart. The confidentiality we used to have in the service needs to be returned. I am here to serve you and the state. You have accepted the job to also serve in various capacities. I call for a uniform style of work to justify the prompt payment of salaries.

“We need to revive, revamp and reform the civil service, and we have to change the narratives. We must recalibrate to avoid embarrassing scenes and situations. This administration will not tolerate laziness and truancy.”

Mr Alia directed the civil servants to dress properly to show respect for their offices.

“Let us bring back the aura, respect and value into the civil service,” he said.

He promised that staff due for promotions would enjoy it promptly and called for weekly meetings to review performance, strengths and weaknesses.

Mr Alia said that affordable homes would be constructed, just as the Benue Micro Finance Bank would be revived to encourage small businesses for workers, especially for agricultural purposes.

“I encourage you all to have farms, but farming around office premises must stop by November,” he said.

He said the works ministry would gradually rehabilitate Benue’s civil service secretariat with light, water and other amenities. He commended the officials for the hard work that earned them their current status but reminded them that more was expected of them.

(NAN)