An interest group working for the re-election of Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi State, Team Kogi has said the people of the state know the forces holding on to the bailout fund approved for the payment of salary arrears of civil servants in the state. Addressing a press conference in Lokoja, Wednesday, the Chief Communications Director of the group, Mr. Olu John said it is unfair to blame the state government for the delay in the release of the fund.
“The bailout fund should not be politicized. This is the time all Kogites must unite to ensure the welfare of our workers are catered for. Salary default is not a political or geographical issue, but the failure of the system. Virtually all the states of the federation are affected by the problem.
“If any APC group must lecture us on how states can avoid owing workers, we urge them to first offer the advice to Osun, Oyo and Kwara States. Almost all APC states are owing workers in their states. Kogi State is paying one of the highest salaries in the federation today and state civil servants are only owed a month’s salary. The problem is with the Local Government employees and teachers, hence the need for the bailout to offset the debt.
“As far as we are concerned, the government of Kogi State has met all the conditions set for accessing the bailout and we hope the Central Bank of Nigeria will refuse to yield to the antics of politicians who are working against the release of the bailout for political reasons. The CBN belongs to all Nigerians. It is a national bank and not a political party. “The APC should join us in demanding for the release of the fund because hunger knows no political affiliation. Having publicly campaigned against the release of the fund at their rallies, APC is trying to dent the good image of the CBN by saying things that will make the Kogi people think CBN is a branch of APC”.
