When it was revealed that Kogi State will benefit from the last tranche of Paris Club refund, majority of civil servants in the state heaved sighs of relief in anticipation of settlement of several months of unpaid salaries. Their hopes were elevated with the pronouncement from top state officials confirming this and the promise to pay four months salary.
The inability of the state to access this refund which was premised on inappropriate disbursement of earlier funds came to an end when an agreement was reached with labour and the fund was released.
It is important to note that, nothing has been heard from the state government about two months allocation from the federation account collected prior to this time aside the last allocation of over N4 billion.
Amidst the euphoria, the pessimistic part of me remained apprehensive because of similar promises made in the past that were not honoured.
Sadly, the state government confirmed my fears when it announced it was going to pay just one month out of four with a promise to pay the three remaining months across, over or under the table (whatever that means).
I have written repeatedly that despite the laudable performance of the state government in security and agriculture, the inability of the New Direction government to get it right with the salary of its workforce is going to be its nemesis.
If after the protracted screening and sacking of thousands for several reasons, the state government is still confused and not sure of the size of its workforce, then Kogi State is in big trouble.
Unfortunately, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello is more in Abuja than Lokoja and appears oblivious of the true position of things in the state.
It is fraudulent to claim the somersault in the mode of payment is due to labour leaders observation that the screening process was a colossal failure.
The implications are that a huge portion of scarce state resources went down the drain when the clocking policy is added to the fray.
The pledge of His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello to keep his promise is not in any way reassuring considering previous promises that were not fulfilled.
The new policy in my informed opinion is another subtle screening process in the offing which is sure going to elongate the pain and anguish of civil servants in the state whose helplessness is gradually deteriorating to hopelessness.
Whosoever came up with this callous advice the Governor bought into is an enemy of not only the people but the state.
This is probably the last intervention at least in our while and it’s so sad, that another great opportunity to get it right is being intentionally thrown away by those overwhelmed with power and greed.
I was initially glad with the geographical and generational shift in governance the new direction government offered but now it is more of regrets for unfulfilled aspirations and dreams of a Kogi State with prospects for prosperity that will be enjoyed by all its citizens including those who are here from other parts of the country to make their lives better.
Which way forward? Kogi State government should acknowledge the failure of the screening exercise and apologize to its workers for the shambolic manner the screening was done and the attendant pain, agony and loss of lives it brought.
Those in charge must be made to account for their ineptitude though it will not assuage the harrowing experiences of Kogites but it will serve as a deterrent for the future.
Kogi State government must discard urgently the mindset that its ‘brainbox’ is the exclusive property of a single individual. Individuals of proven competence and character with the interest of the state must be brought in to salvage what is obviously a bad situation. The priority should not be about politics but what is best for Kogi State and its people.
It will be the height of deceit and delusion to feign ignorance of the intensity of pressure Alhaji Yahaya Bello is under because of the obligations that must be met due to the manner he emerged as Governor. His Excellency should however remember that in the end, history and the people will always judge performance.
I pray the narrative will soon change for good so that joy will return to Kogi State again.
I pray for the grace for divine direction to govern with Allah’s fear for Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the humility to accept Allah’s supremacy in all his words and actions. Amen.
– Posi Botun
A Concerned Kogi Youth.
