Labour Day: Ortom advises workers on multiple streams of income
Governor Samuel Ortom has advised Benue state workers to seek multiple streams of income to enhance their livelihood as the stay-at-home order against COVID-19 continues.
The governor’s advice is contained in statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Terver Akase, on Friday in Makurdi.
According to the statement, Ortom appealed to the workers to take advantage of the good weather and arable land in the state to venture into commercial farming as a stream of income.
The governor declared that his administration had taken proactive measures to diversify the state’s economy to boost revenue generation following the impending recession occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Ortom further stated that his administration has embarked on a number of measures to boost agriculture and increase food production in the state.
“One of such steps is the recent sale of 50 tractors to Benue farmers at 60 per cent subsidy,” the statement said, adding that as part of measures to mitigate the negative effects of the looming recession, his administration has resolved to not only produce food for consumption, but also for commercial purposes.
It said that the governor commended the workers for their “commitment, understanding and cooperation particularly in the fight against COVID-19.’’
In the statement, Ortom noted that the workers had demonstrated uncommon determination and professionalism in all sectors to support the government in taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
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It noted that the governor, however, singled out workers on essential duties such as health and other services for praise for putting in extra hours to ensure that Benue state never had additional COVID-19 cases.
It added that Ortom stated that their sacrifices were beyond reward, but urged them to sustain their level of patriotism.
Ortom therefore, pledged to ensure that the welfare of workers, especially salaries and pensions remain his priority, the statement said, asserting that the ravaging effects of the coronavirus compelled the state to review downward it’s 2020 budget from N189 billion to N119 billion.
It noted that Ortom explained that the review was in response to the impending global economic crisis which is estimated to contract Nigeria’s economy by 3.4 per cent.
