Tribute to Kogi State Civil Servants; Victimized But Still Hard Working

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Kogi State civil servant and pensioners are ‘the most victimized personalities of the year’.

Immediately this administration came into office, the first agenda was how it will get excess funds to embezzle and mis-appropriate. The state revenue generating capacity was poor, financial standing was also at its lowest ebb, hence little funds for embezzlement and mis-appropriation. The only sector to get excess money from was the administrative sub-sector made up of the civil servants. Their plan was just simple; by creating artificial problem in the sector via non-payment civil servants salaries, claiming to have paid them, selective payment as well as use percentage payment plus the use of a kangaroo screening project aimed at retrenchment and the massive use of propaganda as a tool for cover up.

The victimization and wicked attitude of the government started when the administration instructed against the fundamental human rights of workers to force them to open accounts with two banks; Access Bank and Zenith Bank. These banks were chosen because of the vested interests that the governor and his chief of staff had in the banks.

After much struggle, the workers complied awaiting the payment of their salaries, that did not happen as workers only hear and see alert on facebook and other e-media outlets. The administration used the names of workers to apply for the bailout funds. The money was approved. I mean 20 billion was approved. Workers became happy thinking that their salaries will be paid, but unfortunately 95% of them could not see the alerts in their bank account.

What happened? The administration became involved in mission less and vision less spending, an era were money supposed to be used for payment of salaries were used for merry making, state sponsored marriages with the chief of staff, Edward Onoja, leading the pack. overseas travels, organizing parties etc. With the money exhausted and no accountability, the administration introduced the the ill- fated screening exercise that was said to weed out ghost workers, but the original intention was aimed at retrenchment of workers to reduce the wage bill and free more cash for embezzlement and mis-appropriation. This singular act led many workers into depression, hunger, poverty etc that lead to the death of over 10 civil servants.

Fortunately enough, there came another era of relieve package for the states in form of Excess Paris Club Refund. The administration received over 17 billion naira from the first and second batch refunds, with the latest received just few days back. To make matters worse, the administration refused to pay workers their salaries. By this time, workers are owed up to 15-22 months salaries, this led to workers committing suicides and a monumental/geometrical increase in hunger and poverty in the state.

The worst case scenario is that of hearing that the same government after failing to utilize the over 37 billion naira for the payment of workers salaries, went ahead and used their names to secure another loan of 10 Billion Naira. Plus the 6 billion naira it received from the last batch of the Paris club refund, the governor Yahaya Bello came out and told Nigerians that it has 16 billion that it wants to use to pay workers their salaries and arrears. What an irony? The same government that has been claiming that it has paid workers their salaries, calling those that went on strike as political /opposition civil servants, ghost workers, certificate forgers etc owing the same civil servant up to 16 billion. This shows the highest level of lies and propaganda meted on the poor civil servants in the state.

Most unfortunate is that upon the 16 billion naira set aside, the money can only be used in the payment of 60 percent of 4 months salaries not full payments, for some selected political loyal civil servants. Haba, what happened to the rest of the months? What of the remaining percentage? Who will pay our dear civil servants?

Upon all these victimization coupled with a labor union that has been bought over by the state government, the state civil servants managed to keep the administrative mechanism of the state running. Only God will reward you. Formerly, it was believed that only teachers rewards are in heaven, but presently in Kogi state, Civil Servants’ reward is now in heaven.

 

– Sam Enemama Akubor


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