KOGI’S UNPAID SALARIES: Why should Gov Bello sleep soundly? Protesting workers ask

Ladesope Ladelokun
Casualties resulting from unpaid salaries of civil servants have struck many times too many. The recent target is one Edward Soje of Kogi state whose story would bring tears to the eyes.

For 17 years, the 54-year-old had waited for a child from his wife, so when his wife eventually became pregnant and delivered a set of triplets, one should expect him to be immersed in the ocean of joy for a very long time – but not Soje:

Neighbours found his corpse hanging from a tree in Lokoja, Kogi state, on October 21, 2017 shortly after the arrival of the triplets.

A family source told The Daily Times that before Soje’s tragic end, he had sold his house and only car due to financial incapacitation, so when his body was found, no one was left in doubt that he committed suicide on account of financial pressure.

But a close family source revealed that Soje took his life because of marital issues. Our source said Soje had lamented to his brother that his wife said he (Soje) was not the father of the triplets.

Whatever the truth is, however, Soje’s death has again brought the plight of unpaid workers in Kogi state to the fore. Though the state government was quick to distance itself from being the cause of Soje’s death, claiming that Nigerians have been misinformed by the orchestrated campaign by those opposed to the government of

Alhaji Yahaya Bello over unpaid salaries, the NLC would have none of that.
It would be recalled that prior to Soje’s death, the local and national arm of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) had been locked in a running battle with Kogi state government over unpaid salaries. The labour group had accused the government of habitually owing over 30% of the workforce for 21 months.

In a statement jointly issued by the state chapter of the NLC, TUC and Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), labour leaders painted a pathetic picture of the situation of workers in the state, comparing condition of workers in Kogi state to that of IDPs in various camps across the country.

The statement read in part: ‘‘The situation of workers in the state is worse than the condition of IDPs in various camps. The agony of workers is not in any way less than experiences of the victims of natural disasters. A situation where workers cannot afford even one meal a day or dream of paying school fees of their children is already a humanitarian issue.’’

It would be recalled that 40 Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria reportedly donated 1,260 bags of rice – a move they claim will ameliorate the suffering of Kogi workers believed to be starving.

While addressing journalists in Lokoja recently, however, Director on Media and Publicity to Kogi State Governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said a great number of cleared staff had been paid, dismissing claims of unfair treatment to workers as a campaign sponsored by those opposed to the government of Yahaya Bello.

‘‘The situation of things in Kogi state is that government has paid the bulk of the cleared staff up to July 2017 and details of payment have been published on the official website of government and in the newspapers to clear doubts of those who need to know the facts,’’ he said.

On claims linking Soje’s death to unpaid salaries, Fanwo said the case of the deceased is an eye opener to reason some civil servants were not paid.

“The late Soje had issues with his age declaration. Altered age declaration, as well as multiple declarations, was discovered. That accounted for the reason he was not paid between January and July.’’

Fanwo, however, said government is aware that some people are bent on painting the state as irresponsible for political reasons, “But government will not shirk its responsibility of proving leadership and accountability in dealing with the good people of Kogi state.’’

The DG dismissed the claim in certain quarters that Yahaya Bello’s government admitted to owing seven months’ salary arrears, stating that Kogi workers are only owed for two months.

‘‘As a people, our pride is important to us. We owe two months’ salary arrears and we know states in worse conditions. Government will continue to do its best to make Kogites proud,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, a concerned Nigerian, Bukky Hassan, who is also member of EduShine Foundation – a registered NGO principally formed to raise funds for those in critical situations, shared the story of a Kogi civil servant allegedly owed 17 months of unpaid salary on her Facebook page.

Another Kogi state civil servant whose younger brother pleaded anonymity on his behalf shared the frustration of his elder brother through a text message he got from him. He said the claim by the Kogi state
government that workers are only owed two months’ salary is a lie from the pit of hell as his elder brother has not been paid for 22 straight months.

The text read in part: “Aburo, it seems I am getting tired of this situation. Suffering all through, living as a beggar. Can I continue like this? It’s now 22 months in Bello’s captivity. If not for you that is helping and can counsel me, I would have died of hunger and frustration. Greet your family for me. Bye for now.’’
Expressing shock at the plight of unpaid workers, President Muhammadu Buhari recently asked: “How can anyone go to bed and sleep soundly when workers have not been paid their salaries for months? I actually wonder how the workers feed their families, pay their rents…’’