PDP

The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has called on the state government to make workers’ welfare a priority and halt the gradual trend to stagnation in the State. This is contained in a statement issued today in Lokoja by Mr. Bode Ogunmola, State Publicity Secretary of the party. The statement is in reaction to the on-going strike embarked upon by workers to protest against unpaid salaries and poor working conditions.

Ogunmola noted that with the volume of cash flow into the state through monthly allocations, Paris Club refunds, Bail Out funds, IGR among others; it shouldn’t have any business with unpaid salaries, if it’s handlers were prudent. “A situation where the governor and his cotterie of largely unproductive political appointees display ostentatious wealth while civil servants wallow in naked penury, is condemnable, to say the least.”

The Publicity Secretary urged goverment to urgently address the workers’ grievances and refrain from the tyranical temptation to
criminalize or politicize a worthy engagement. Ogunmola cautioned the government to be guided by its recent experience with Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU members of the State University, Anyigba and asked government to thread softly on the issue.

“The laughable attempt by government to proscribe ASUU and sack about 200 lecturers at KSU is still fresh in our minds. We call on Bello to rescind that satanic decision, appologise to the affected staff and not to further aggravate an already tensed industrial situation. He should pay workers their emoluments and stop making Kogi a laughing stock in the committee of states.”