TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ortom

  • VIDEO: David Mark mocks Ortom, says he’s distributing wheelbarrows while Wike is commissioning projects

    Former Senate President, David Mark on Tuesday mocked Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom for distributing wheelbarrows as part of his empowerment scheme for youths in the state.

    Speaking from Rivers State during the commissioning of the remodelled Brick House, the former Government House in the state, Mark said, “Whilst people are here commissioning roads, commissioning projects and all other development projects brought to Rivers state, in my home state (Benue), they are giving out wheel barrows to empower people.

    “This is not my first visit to commission projects in Rivers state. I was here less than a year ago to commission one of the roads; I noticed tremendous improvement in the delivery of democracy dividends.

    “When the next election comes, you don’t need to bother with all manner of propaganda; these works would campaign for you.”

    See video below:

    https://www.facebook.com/378378918890631/videos/1417065225021990/

    Video Credit: Scannews

  • JUST IN: Ortom signs anti-Open Rearing, Grazing bill into law

    JUST IN: Ortom signs anti-Open Rearing, Grazing bill into law

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Monday signed the bill prohibiting Open Rearing and Grazing into law.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Benue State House of Assembly on Thursday, May 4 successfully passed the bill prohibiting Open Rearing and Grazing into law.

    Ortom, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Monday described the development as a right step taken in a right direction.

    He said his administration would do all it would to protect the state from intruders and criminals.

    While thanking those who sponsored the bill, the governor urged them to continue to support his government’s vision of making Benue a great state.

    According to the bill, “Nobody will be permitted to carryout open grazing outside the permitted ranches.

    “Any person who contravene this act shall be guilty and upon conviction be sentenced to 5 years imprisonment with a fine of 1 million.

    “Where damage is done to the crops the farm will be evaluated and the manager of the livestock be compelled to pay.

    “Movement of livestock on foot within the state is hereby prohibited. Any person who contravene this shall pay be sentenced to one year imprisonment or pay a fine of 500k

    “Any livestock owner or manager who carries fire arms shall be treated under the penal code. All ranchers shall engage the services of security agencies.

    “Any person who rustles cattle shall be sentenced to 5 years imprisonment or pay a fine of 100k per cow. Any livestock wandering shall be impounded by the department of livestock.

    “Any livestock impounded and the owner not found shall be auctioned to the public and the proceeds be deposited into the state consolidated revenue account.

    “There shall be established a special open prohibition TAX FORCE they shall enforce this laws as stipulated.”

  • Forget about whistle, we’ll blow trumpet against your govt, PDP replies Ortom

    Forget about whistle, we’ll blow trumpet against your govt, PDP replies Ortom

    Sequel to challenging his critics to blow the whistle against him (Governor Ortom) or any of his appointees in government, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State has vowed to blow the trumpet and not the whistle against the state governor, Samuel Ortom over his activities in the state.

    The party said the sound of whistle might not be quickly heard considering the ongoing financial misappropriations under the watchful eyes of Ortom in Benue.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Ortom had dared those accusing him of corruption to expose him or any of his appointees by blowing the whistle.

    “I have tried to run an open and transparent administration. Anyone with a case of corruption against me or any of my officials should blow the whistle and get the approved five per cent reward,” Ortom had said.

    Reacting, however, the media director of Sunday Onaji campaign team, the chairmanship aspirant of the PDP in the forthcoming Local Council election in the state, Sunday Itodo, said Ortom has proven that he is no competent to lead the state.

    He said, “We read with shocks the recent call by the state governor, Samuel Ortom that people should expose him through the whistle-blowing policy if he or any of his appointees are found to have stolen any public money.

    “This is a case of the wicked man running while no one is after him. The governor should not forget the adage that says he who fetches ant-infested firewood should not complain when the lizard storms his house.”

    “The governor is calling on people to blow the whistle but we will blow not just whistle, but trumpet because the sound of the whistle might be too low, considering how Ortom has ruined the state within his two years in power.

    “Ortom should be ready to explain to the anti-graft agency why civil servants in the state now beg to survive despite obtaining loans, intervention funds and the Paris Club refund allocation.

    “Ortom has proven that he is truly not capable of leading the state and should be ready to follow the exit door, come 2019,” Itodo said.

  • Blow whistle if you have corruption case against my govt, Ortom dares critics

    Blow whistle if you have corruption case against my govt, Ortom dares critics

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has challenged residents of the state not to hesitate to blow the whistle if they had any case of corruption against him or any of his appointees.

    “I have tried to run an open and transparent administration. Anyone with a case of corruption against me or any of my officials should blow the whistle and get the approved five per cent reward,” Ortom said on Sunday in Makurdi.

    He spoke at a children dedication and thanksgiving service organised by Pastor Daniel Unongo, the Government House Chaplain, whose wife delivered a set of twins after 18 years of marriage.

    Ortom said that his duty as governor was to execute God’s will, and urged the people to feel free to offer their counsel and criticism.

    The governor said that he had always sought God’s nod before taking any decision, and urged those attacking his administration to wait and see what would happen in the near future.

    “Those insulting and criticiing me should wait, watch and see what will happen when I complete my tenure.

    “At the moment, I am owing four months salaries and we are believing God that the issue of non-payment of salaries or delay will soon become history.

    “ Ours is not the worst; we have states owing workers seven months and even beyond. But, we shall try to tackle the issue,” he said.

    Ortom commended the Chaplain for keeping faith in God in the face of the pains and challenges that come with barrenness, saying that God had never abandoned those who trusted Him.

    The First Lady, Mrs. Eunice Ortom, in her remarks, said that God had again demonstrated His powers by wiping away the tears and pains of the Unongo family.

    A joyous Unongo, in his response, thanked God for the blessings and urged others in similar situations to turn to God in prayer.

     

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Workers’ salary: Ortom declares ‘state of emergency’

    Workers’ salary: Ortom declares ‘state of emergency’

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Friday declared what he tagged as ‘state of emergency’ on salary payment.

    Governor Ortom made the announcement at a meeting with labour leaders at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House in Makurdi.

    He also set up a committee to work out details of its implementation.

    The committee has the Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu as chairman and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Matthew Uyina, as Secretary.

    Other members are Commissioners of Finance, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, their colleagues in the Ministries of Health and Information as well as Advisers on Labour, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Development Cooperation, Rural Development and Cooperatives.

    Labour leaders on the committee are Comrade Godwin Anya, State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Terungwa Igbe, President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Comrade Philip Ter Nongu, State Chairman, Joint Councils one, two and three, and Comrade Ordue Tartenger, Trade Union Congress chairman.

    Governor Ortom stated that the implications of the declaration included prioritization of salary payment as well as the exploration of every means of obtaining funds to clear arrears including borrowing.

    He said the committee’s terms of reference would include pruning of the State wage bill, fishing out ghost workers and perpetrators of fraud with regard to the issue.

  • Ortom promises to clear salary arrears in 2017

    Ortom promises to clear salary arrears in 2017

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue said on Saturday in Makurdi that the state would clear outstanding salaries of state and Local Government workers in 2017.

    The promise was contained in the Governor’s New Year message that was signed by the Chief Press Secretary Mr Terver Akase.

    State government workers are being owed four months salaries, while local government and primary school teachers were being owed eight months. Pensioners are being owed for 13 months.

    While felicitating with the people of the state as they step into the new year, Ortom said his administration has concluded plans to clear salary arrears in the coming year.

    “The wage bill of Benue workers in particular will continue to be a priority as our administration plans to clear outstanding salaries at the State and local government levels”, he said.

    He expressed optimism that 2017 would be a better year which would offer greater opportunities to the people in different sectors of the economy.

    Ortom said that the state 2017 Appropriation Bill would open up rural roads for ease transportation for effective agricultural produce and enhance mechanized equipment to support farmers.

    Gov Ortom reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to uphold transparency, accountability, as well as sustained peace and security as demanded by the change mantra.

    Also the state Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) Mrs Mimi Orubibi in her New Year message thanked God for his continuous blessings and protection over his people in the state and beyond.

    Orubibi explained that his lead board would continue to operate a tax friendly regime adding that the welfare of the masses was the topmost priority of the Ortom lead administration.

    She disclosed that the people’s taxes would be used judiciously.