I did not embezzle workers’ salaries, says Suswam

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State on Monday denied embezzling workers’ salaries.
Suswam made the denial at the inauguration of the renovated Kwande Local Government Education Authority building in Kwande Local Government Area.
He blamed his administration’s inability to pay salaries of some workers on the poor budgetary allocations being received by the state from the Federal Government.
He explained that the poor budgetary allocation was caused by the falling price of oil in the international market.
“I do not embezzle workers’ salaries. You are suffering and there is no way I will temper with your monthly entitlements. I am not taking any kobo from workers’ salaries in the state.
“How can I embezzle your salaries after increasing it, even when you did not ask for increment? Don’t forget that I implemented the 27 per cent salary increment demand by teachers.
“What Benue receives monthly from the Federation Account is published in the national dailies by the Federal Government for clarification.’’
The governor said to be able to pay monthly salaries of workers, he would be required to borrow N200 million in addition to what the state receives as allocation.
Suswam said that he was left with no option than to borrow to offset workers’ outstanding salaries.
Benue teachers are being owed five months salaries while other workers had not been paid for two to three months.