Benue Stops Deduction of Teachers’ Salary

George Okoh in Makurdi

The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, (SUBEB) has disclosed that in the Governor Hyacinth Alia-led Benue State Government the ugly issue of the past governments where teachers’ salaries were deducted in the state has been stopped.

The board has also commenced the automation of payment of teachers’ salaries.

This was disclosed by one of the boards Commissioner, Prince Andy Uwouku, at the board headquarters while briefing journalists in Makurdi yesterday.

He said in the past, the deduction of teachers’ salaries without cogent reasons were going on but added that it will be a thing of the past and there will be no problems with salary payment anymore.

Uwouku also revealed that recent reports accusing the Executive Chairman of the board, Mrs. Grace Adagba, of high handedness and working alone without the input of the board members is not true and it’s strange.

He added that since the coming of the Board in December, “we have been working together as a team, and the chairman has not been working alone.

“She involves us in the running of the board since we came on board we have held about four board meetings called by the chairman to intimate members of what is happening.”

He said most of what is happening at the board is approved by the members of the board.

The board also, he said, had commenced the automation of the payroll of teachers as well as the complete renovation of the headquarters and provision of facilities all with the approval of the board.

“We work as a team and anytime the chairman is out of the state on official assignment, she does not leave a vacuum, she ensures I act on her behalf,” he stated.

Uwouku said it is not correct to say the board is being run in exclusion of board members, adding that: “There is synergy among board members, the board secretary and the executive chairman. Nothing happenings here without our knowledge as board members.”

He added that the board is  making efforts both in administration and in structures to make sure that the board is accorded general face-lift.

Uwouku added: “We are doing our best to make sure that the problems we met on ground are tackled. We want to ensure that members of staff are diligent in their work and the basic education system in Benue State is properly positioned.

“So as we are working harmoniously together we wouldn’t want a situation where someone would break our rank.