Public workers in more than half of Kogi state, at the last count are being owed salaries of between thirteen and fifteen months by Yahaya Bello, which have further highlighted the leadership deficit which citizens have had to endure over the years. Workers are not immune to the harrowing ordeal of unpaid salaries particularly towards the close of last year and early in this year makes the situation more tragic. If this seeming state of financial bankruptcy is disgraceful, more shameful is the leadership bankruptcy that has engendered it. Of course, to continually demand workers’ loyalty by the governments in default is antithetic to any claims of good governance and in states where they have so acted, the workers are justified to go on strike.
Nothing at best also advertised the insensitivity of the governor (and, without shame, the political parties) to the plight of their people as they hit the campaign trail early in the year to solicit for votes to keep them in power. No shame, no compunction.
The State Assembly have to find means of redressing this unfortunate development in the shortest time frame because a labourer is deserving of his wages. Owing workers unjustifiably and for no fault of theirs is indefensible; families should be spared this ordeal. In fact, the change preached so vociferously by the current dispensation must start with the settlement of the salary commitments as a priority of the states concerned and, where applicable, the federal service.
Kogi State has been ranked as a Debtor – State. Instead of Yahaya Bello who has come to rule through back door to be sensitive to the plight of the masses. He has chosen the other way round. That is a misplacement of priority.
It is a fact too that the state has been contending with bloated workforces they either inherited, or created for political patronages but cannot cater for. The appointments into those offices at whatever level lack honesty of purpose. The governor should, however, be creative enough to improve on the revenue drive to honour his commitments.
It is also on record that the governor and some of his political appointees hardly present themselves as models of good governance with lifestyles that are flamboyant or too extravagant for comfort. It is rather unfortunate indeed that the governor and his political appointees who are too quick to plead helplessness and seek understanding on the sliding fortunes of the country’s economy due to falling oil prices had enough funds to pursue their political ambitions and even donate to hungry authors ’ purses during the campaigns. They have also always found enough to charter private jets for their travels and sustain a luxurious lifestyle. In no unmistakable terms, a number of the political appointees and their principal have proven themselves unworthy of their offices. They are mere opportunists, incapable of human and material resources management.
The multiplier effect of earned but unpaid wages is real. The worker suffers, the immediate family and dependants suffer, society is worse off for harbouring stress-filled human beings who are not proud to call themselves citizens and lifespan is gradually shortened. In the face of all of these, the so-called leaders live in the clouds, do little to redress the hopelessness and, at the same time, glory in their cluelessness on governance.
With the way Kogi is structured or the local government areas are made to function, there is no economy outside of civil service. If civil servants, teachers and the like are not paid, nothing else happens. What then obtains in Kogi today is a cycle of distrust between governors and the governed who have been pauperized into submission.
However, the current crisis may necessitate federal assistance in whatever form to bail out Kogi state even if on agreed terms of repayment over a period.
The national embarrassment on display now need not go on any longer.
– Alfa Tijani, a social crusader, writes from Ajaka, Igalamela/Odolu LGA Of Kogi State.
I can be reached on: hon.tijanialfagmail.com
