Economic activities in Kogi State have been shutdown following the industrial action declared by Labour Union in the State which was fully complied with by state workers.
The busy roads linking the state government offices were almost deserted as offices were completely shut down.
In a visit to government offices such as Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, State Secretariat, State Ministry of Health, they were all under lock and keys.
In a chat with a civil servant who does not want his name mentioned, he said he had not be paid for 20 months.
”By next month, it will be complete 21 months since I got my last salary in Kogi state. So what do you expect me to do? I have been feeding from hand to mouth with my family. Presently, my second born is sick, but I don’t have money for hospital bills. So, I have no other option than to resolve to self medication.
”I heard recently that some workers have started feeding on Cassava leaves just because of hunger in the land. With all the emotional, psychological and physical trauma, you don’t expect a sane person to continue working with an empty stomach. I am ready to stay at home till eternity as instructed by our labour leaders if our demands are not met,” he stated with anger.
Also a staff with the state own radio station said they are currently operating skeletal broadcasting.
”We are part of the strike because in our office, over 95% staff have not collected their monthly pay for over 10 months, even though we are generating revenue for the state government.
”Only the management staff are in the office. As you can see, other radio stations in Kogi state are on air but we are off air. Let the management staff cast the news and perform our duties in our respective offices. Before I will work in that office, it must be based on contract. Without payment, no work in radio Kogi.
“Everything in Kogi State is going down the drain. Can you imagine that we don’t have utility vehicles to perform operation in our state own radio. We are using Okada to move from one place to another. But we have a governor that is distributing new cars to his political appointees. What a shame,” he lamented.
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