From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi state Council of the Organizsed Labour on Saturday told Governor Yahaya Bello that ‘Local Government workers’ are dying on daily basis due to percentage payment of salaries and the harsh economic condition of the country.
The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress, (TUC), disclosed this in Lokoja, on Sunday, to mark the 2022 workers day celebration with the theme, “Labour, Politics, and quest for good governance and development in Nigeria”.
Speaking on behalf of the Organized Labour in Kogi State, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress, (TUC), Comrade Ranti Ojo reiterated that life has become unbearable for Kogi Workers because of the inflation trend in the Country.
The TUC Chairman said” The issue of percentage payment of salary at the Primary School sector and the Local Government Area has not only crippled primary education and the Local Government administration but has also dehumanizsed workers at local level.
He called on the Governor to urgently address the issues of outstanding remunerations to workers, especially the February 2022 outstanding balance of the percentage salary.
Comrade Ojo also called on the Governor to implement the February 9th 2022 agreement on the cash-backing of all promotions payment leave bonuses and annual increments.
He also appealed to Governor Bello to investigate the non implementation of the new National Minimum wage of N30,000 and it’s consequential adjustment in the judiciary as alleged by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
The Organized Labour therefore appealed to the Government to restore full salary payment to the workers at that level in order to mitigate the effect of the hardships steering this category of workers in Kogi State”.
In his address, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello formally announced to the state workers of his intention to vie for the position of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria on the platform of All progressive Congress (APC).
Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade lauded Kogi Workers for their relentless effort in moving the state forward.
The Governor noted that pension and salary are fully paid as at when due in Kogi State, reiterated that, his administration will continue to prioritise the welfare of workers in the state.
He pointed out that the state government has concluded arrangements to reintroduce car refurbishing loan of interest free of #500, ooo to civil servants in the state.
Bello, however, debunked the information making the round that his administration is planning to downsize the work force in Kogi State.
