In line with the New direction administration’s commitment towards making workers welfare a priority and the sincere promise by Kogi Stata Governor, Alh Yahaya Bello to pay civil servant in the state before Christmas celebration, reliable information available to The Nigerian Post as copied from an online platform Kogi Decide, reveals that the payment of salaries have began, with workers across the state receiving 60% salaries across board.
In a message posted this evening on the platform by the Kogi state Commisioner for Finance, Hon Asiwaju idris, he stated as follows: “I wish to notify that payment has started in earnest,” but however lamented the delay in the release of the funds.
In his words, Asiwaju said, “With deep remorse, we sincerely apologise for the delay and its attendant consequences.
“Regrettably, we are only able to pay 60% salary across board. It is the sincere hope of government that through our aggressive drive to increase internally generated revenue, the fortunes of civil servants and all citizens will improve.
“Accept our responsive and esteemed regards always.
Wishing everyone happy Xmas and prosperous new year.”
It would be recalled that workers in the state have anxiously waited for salary alerts, but to no avail.
The workers who are owed between five to twenty months in some cases, expected that with the monthly allocation, followed by the release of the last tranche of Paris club refunds, the state government would clear all outstanding arrears, are however disappointed that after a seven week industrial action embarked upon by workers in the state, all they could get is percentage payment.
As at press time, there has not been confirmation to the payment of salaries as stated by the commissioner as it’s already bed time, a worker who however reacted to the post by the Commissioner, said, the government action shows that they workers are not appreciated to be paid at the last hours before the Christmas break, meaning that some workers may end up not able to make withdrawal.
He however thanked the governor for keeping to his words, urging that salaries should be a priority in 2018.
