The Acting Executive Chairman, Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Mzaga Iorhemba, has cautioned staff of the Board against reckless borrowing of loans from the Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society (SMCS) to avoid financial inconveniences.
The Acting Executive Chairman gave the caution Thursday (October 5) during an emergency meeting of the cooperative society held at the Board’s headquarters in Makurdi.
Mr Iorhemba said the caution became necessary to resolve financial issues some staff were facing as a result of such borrowings.
On why SUBEB allegedly delays payment of pension, the Acting Executive Chairman clarified that it’s due to late submission of documents by retirees to be forwarded to the Local Government Auditor- General.
He therefore advised retirees to make available their documents to the Board on time for onward transmission to the office of the local Government Auditor-General for prompt payment of their retirement benefits.
A Customer Service Officer from Fidelity Pension Managers, Mr Linus Udele, further explained that some SUBEB staff do not get alert for contributory pension deductions because SUBEB was the last to be enrolled as late as 2021 even as the scheme was introduced in 2020. Therefore, their schedules were not prepared on time, adding that many staff were not enrolled while others enrolled with different names. He advised staff with such issues to update their information appropriately.
In their various remarks, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Tsebee Patrick, Acting Director of Administration and Supply (DAS), Juliana Agbo, Acting Director of Finance and Accounts (DAF), Ngufan Tsegba, and Staff Officer of the Board, Mr Jeremiah Mtsenga, all hailed the SUBEB Executive Chairman for his caution and urged staff to abide by the advice in their own interest.
Earlier, the President of the Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Mr Ochefu Danladi, who appreciated members for convening for the emergency meeting at a short notice reassured them of huge benefits of the association as manifested in the plots of land allocated to some members among many other interventions.
The President also advised members to always seek explanation on issues bothering them about their welfare rather than resort to speculations that would mislead the public.
During the meeting, Certificates of Occupancy and allocation papers were presented to some staff of the Board including the Acting Executive Chairman.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ann Ajukula, expressed gratitude to the entire management of SUBEB and the EXCO of the Cooperative Society in particular, for the gesture and encouraged other staff who are yet to join it to do so in order to enjoy the benefits. She equally urged other members to be patient as she expressed optimism that the next round of allocation would reach them.
