In fulfilment of my promise to deactivate observation mode at the expiration of the time given to those still hoping to smile on account of outstanding/unpaid salaries and pensions on account of the yearlong screening exercise in Kogi state, I have to put this up to avoid being guilty of the indiscretion on the part of government, I will be talking about shortly.
I wish to reiterate that in view of the rot in the system over time that is crippling and distasteful, the exercise is not only desirable but laudable. The government of Alh. Yahaya Bello should be appreciated for the will to tackle this menace headlong though the manner it has been conducted leaves much to be desired. After raising the hope of helpless, traumatized, genuine but uncleared workers and pensioners only to postpone their agony just a few days when they thought the perilous storm they have faced for so long is about to end is nothing but manifestation of ineptitude on the part of those presently in charge of the screening appeal exercise.
Stories are making the rounds with insinuation that the state is broke and that the shifts of goal posts is nothing more than a time procurement exercise. I will not really subscribe to this school of thought but regard it as the trauma-clouded position of certain individuals.
The latest postponement as expressed in government’s plea for extension of date and understanding is just another in a series of date shifts that has extended the screening to over 12 months.
No matter the nobleness of the intention and the expected benefits from the screening exercise, its seeming unending nature is getting exasperating and further justification/rationalization is no longer acceptable irrespective of the garb its robed.
One very good lesson the government should learn from this latest postponement, is to avoid the proclamation on critical state issues/policies to be spontaneous. It is not nice for a government to have its citizens doubt or be skeptical of promises by it. In the absence of trust, leader-led relationship will be reduced to insinuations and conjectures. Bitter truth is better than palatable falsehood. The talk-and-do label on the Governor should not be rubbished as a result of the unfulfilled promises associated with the exactness of the terminal date of the screening exercise.
It is hoped that the ghost of the ghost syndrome will finally rest in peace on the next pronounced date by government so that joy and hope will return to the lives of many going through lots of deprivation, agony and pain through no fault of theirs.
– Olalekan Aiyenigba
