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Coordinator of PDP National Youth Frontier, an advocate for good governance and a strong opposition voice, Okai Austin Usman speaks with Juliet Akoje on dimensions of mis-governance, the issue of unpaid salaries in Kogi State and more.
You have been very critical about the present administration in Kogi State, what exactly is your take?
My position is that of a concerned citizen of the state demanding accountability from my state government and there is nothing personal about it. It is about speaking on behalf of my people, demanding answers to some questions that are important to the development of Kogi State.
There are lots of problems in Kogi State under this present administration which is built on lies, deceit.
For instance, after the several months of screening exercise in the state, workers, pensioners are still been owed in Kogi State. Some workers are been owed for eighteen months, some for fifteen months and eight months and lots of names are neither on the cleared nor the uncleared list. The screening exercise was messed up at the end and as a result of this the state chapter of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is currently on strike.
In Kogi State right now, a lot of people have died, there is a recent case of a man that has not been paid for several months that committed suicide, so many have lost their loved ones either out of frustration or inability to treat oneself of an illness due to their poor financial situation, responsible men and women are now begging to eat and pay bills in the state.
The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria released bail-out fund specifically to pay workers salaries? How could a government still be owing workers and pensioners after receiving bailout funds, Paris refund and also receiving monthly allocations from the federal government and still owe workers? I am saying that the government should account for the bailout fund, Paris refund and pay workers their salaries.
There are speculations that you are working for some politicians. How true is that?
I am an advocate for good governance, I am speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. I am demanding good governance for the people of Kogi State. I am saying that the welfare of the people should be addressed. It has nothing to do with any politician anywhere; all I want is for the government to do the right thing.
Where do you think the government has gone wrong or failed?
The government is failing in almost everything. He is not paying salaries. He has not commissioned any road in the state apart from the one he constructed in his village.
All we are seeing is the governor buying houses in Abuja and Okene.
What is your appeal to the state government?
I am saying that the state government should do the needful by paying workers their salaries, construct roads and develop the state. The government should drop every element of violence and desperation. I was once arrested by some security agents and I have been receiving threats from the agents of the state government. This element of desperation that is visibly seen in his government should be dropped. They should stop threatening me, I have written to Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Director of SSS and the inspector general of police over the life threats. The state is seriously under pressure and we need serious salvation from the scourge of this government.
What is your message to the people of Kogi State as far as the next elections is concerned?
My message to the people of Kogi State is that, they should go and get their PVCs because that is the only way they can exercise their right and elect good leaders, they should look for credibility instead of collecting money from politicians, good precedents should be considered and the youth should shun every element of thuggery. The people of Kogi should check the background and records of whoever they want to vote for.
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