BENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam says his administration inherited N6 billion pension arrears from his predecessor, Senator George Akume.
Suswam told journalists at the Government House yesterday that it was not true that his administration was entirely responsible for the N8 billion pensions backlog in the state.
He said on assumption of office in 2007, he adopted a deliberate measure of setting aside N12 million monthly to reduce the pensions burden, adding the state government had engaged the United Bank for Africa (UBA) to buy off the debt.
On the fate of the students at the Medical College of the Benue State University, Suswam said he shared in their pains and anxiety, adding that it was part of the burden he inherited from his predecessor.
“In terms of structures, we have virtually finished them. By the time I became governor, about three sets of the medical students, who were supposed to be on clinical, were unable. However, I shared in the pains and anxiety they are passing through. We are ensuring that they do not continue to suffer this and I assure you that this will be over in the next two months”, Suswam stated.
The governor also spoke on the fate of unemployed graduates in the state who are undergoing registration at their various local councils in the state.
