Kogi govt explains reasons behind workers’ verification
The Kogi State Government has disclosed that the decision to verify the actual number of workers in the State was to save the State from the impending economic collapse.
The Director General of Media and Publicity to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo who made this known while speaking at a public function in Mopa, Mopamuro Local government area of Kogi sttate at weekend.
He explained that the state was heading to the rocks economically and that the wage bill of the State was unsustainable given the economic situation in the country.
His words: “What the Governor did with the Staff Verification Exercise was to arrest the state’s drift towards economic collapse. Paying over one billion naira monthly to unintended beneficiaries was simply not acceptable and unsustainable given the downturn in the economic situation in the country.
“That the Governor did not fear the possible backlash from such a bold decision shows he is a statesman who was thinking about the next generation rather than the next election. His action has surely saved Kogi State of billions of naira.
“I urge all Kogites to continue to pray for the Governor for his good plans for the State to materialize. With the people’s support, the Governor is on course to prove to the whole world his readiness to redefine development in the State”.
Fanwo further stated that the Governor’s actions were not aimed at punishing the workers as majority of them have received their salary arrears, insisting that the exercise was a surgical operation on the State.
“The Governor has no desire of inflicting hardship on the people. Salaries were put on hold for those few months to block the waste. That was necessary to ensure the right thing is done. And it is a big relief to the State that workers have earned their wages.
“The decision of the Governor to set up an Appeals Panel was aimed at ensuring no genuine worker is affected by the screening exercise. A lot of startling revelations were discovered and we shall publish everything for the world to see.
“At the end of the exercise before the end of this month, the Governor will ensure that wages are paid promptly. The Governor has also graciously said that the unintended beneficiaries who are willing to work will be engaged through some empowerment programs”.
Fanwo pointed out that the road projects awarded in the constituency is further proof of the Governor’s determination to ensure even development across the state.
“For so many years, our people have been clamouring for good roads. God has answered our prayers through the Governor. Alh. Yahaya Bello is on a divine mission to take Kogi State through a new direction to a new destination. All he needs is your support, cooperation and prayers”.
The Director General said the attendance at the Isanlu reception is a testimony of the popularity of the Governor in Yagba land, describing the appointment of Asiwaju Asiru as “big decision for big impact”.
Fanwo enjoined the youth across the State to key into the empowerment programs of government through agriculture and skills acquisition, urging them to learn how to fish rather than begging for the fish.
“Under Governor Yahaya Bello, our future lies in these youth. They are the vehicles that will drive us through the new direction agenda.
That is why the Governor is keen at boosting their psyche and prepare them for the new order. The Governor is not interested in thuggery but developing the youth to become responsible citizens of the state.
