By our Reporter
Benue State Governor, Chief Dr. Samuel Ortom, recently declared primary and secondary education free in the state.
The Governor however rejected the appointment of additional first class chiefs which bill was recently signed into law by former Governor, Gabriel Suswam to enable him appoint more first class chiefs in the state. Saying, due to the dwindling economy, his administration only operate a lean cabinet that will smoothly run his government.
Speaking at an interactive forum held at Royal Choice Inn in Makurdi, Orton said the dwindling financial fortunes of the state informed this decision.
The Governor had gone ahead to appoint credible people with impeccable character and ability to deliver as he was committed to promoting excellence at the expense of sycophancy and mediocrity.
Ortom stressed that his administration will also have zero tolerance for corruption and that corrupt public officials will be disgraced.
According to him members of his cabinet would subscribe to a code of conduct which will abhor corruption, even as a mechanism shall be put in place to monitor them.
He also dispelled rumors making the rounds that new recruitments and replacements into the civil service were being secretly made by the current government, assuring that no such thing had been done since he took over.
He said, he had also agreed with Governor Suswam about the need to put the appointment of first class and other chiefs on hold until the current salary and pension arrears were cleared but that they had not concluded the discussions.