The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has assured the state of public service reforms.
Ortom gave the assurance after receiving the report of the state Public Service Reform Committee at the state’s Government House on Wednesday.
He commended the committee for what he termed “meticulous work done” as contained in its findings and recommendations.
Assuring that his administration would be guided to a better public service in the state by the findings of the committee, the governor said he was not surprised by the manner the committee carried out its assignment in view of the calibre of seasoned serving and retired technocrats paraded.
Ortom promised that his administration would judiciously implement the committee’s recommendations.
The Committee, which was set up by the governor, urged the State Government to compel its agencies to strictly account for their internally generated revenue receipts or face sanctions.
It also recommended the scrapping of government agencies which have remained dormant and not added value to the economy of the state.
It decried the trend where some agencies generate revenue but fail to adequately remit such accruals to government accounts.
The Committee also encouraged the State Government to hasten the process of establishing the state’s Information and Communications Technology Development Agency in order to address challenges of e-governance.
Former Head of Service in the state, Chief Theophilus Azaagee, who presented the report on behalf of the chairman of the committee, recommended the establishment of Benue State Bureau of Public Service Reform and the conversion of College of Education Oju or Katsina-Ala to a faculty of Education under the Benue State University.
Other recommendations included, merging of Government Technical College Makurdi and Business Engineering and Skills Training Centre, BEST, with Government College Makurdi.
The committee also commended the Ortom administration for initiating the process for a Contributory Pensions Scheme in the state and encouraged the government to expedite action on the matter.
The Committee made recommendations in other areas such as education, health as well as local government and chieftaincy affairs.
