Kogi State Chairman of Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), Hon. Abdulmumini Ibrahim has appealed to striking Kogi workers to return to negotiating table with the state government.
Abdulmumini, in a chat with newsmen in Lokoja, said the industrial action embarked upon by Kogi workers is unfortunate, though avoidable. He, however, called for immediate dialogue to resolve the lingering dispute.
He opined that the scourge of unpaid salaries is crippling the state’s economy.
“The strike embarked upon by Kogi state civil servants is justifiable. They are fighting for their rights. They shouldn’t be owed their salaries in the first place. Kogi has no business owing salaries after the long screening exercise that culminated in downsizing of workforce. With the screening exercise and the funds the government has received so far, salaries and pensions should be paid promptly.
“Go to states like Plateau and Kaduna, workers’ salaries are paid before 28th of the month and the governments also executing impressive infrastructural projects. Sadly, in Kogi we cannot pay salaries and we have no tangible infrastructural development to point to. Lokoja is one of the smallest state capitals in Nigeria yet the government cannot develop the town.
“As it stands today, civil servants drive the economy of Kogi state. Failure to pay their salaries will run the economy down in no time. Government must face reality and meet her obligations without further delay.
“Our party, the APDA, sympathize with Kogi workers and the entire people of the state over this unfortunate situation. Everybody is affected by this scourge. The failing economy affects all of us, regardless of our tribe or political affiliation. All hands must be on deck to salvage the situation and we must start by appealing to labour unions to return to the negotiation table, get their demands met and resume to salvage the state’s economy. We urge the government to do the needful,” he said.
Reacting to a recent claim by Governor Yahaya Bello, on a television programme anchored by Cyril Stober, that the state government has spent hundreds of millions of Naira on the flood and to evacuate over 10,000 persons affected by floods in the state, Abdulmumini said the claims are questionable.
“While we sympathise with Kogi people who are affected by flood in Lokoja, Ibaji and other parts of the state, it is imperative that we present issues the way they are. I watched and heard the Governor said he has evacuated 10,000 persons affected by the flood. This is questionable. We are all living in the state, there is no camp accommodating 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Where is the IDP camp hosting 10,000 displaced persons in Kogi?
“Also, the claims that government has spend hundreds of millions on flood related issues is curious. We cannot continue to divert state funds into questionable ventures when we have back-log of unpaid salaries. We deserve to know how hundreds of millions of our resources was spent.”
He appealed to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist Kogi state with Swamp Buggies to help clear canals, drainages and swamps.
