The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 11 November governorship election in Kogi State, Dino Melaye, has promised to grant full financial autonomy to the local government councils in the state, if elected.
He also pledged to reform the state civil service.
He stated this on Friday while receiving the party’s policy document from the Policy Drafting Committee headed by Sam Amadi.
Other notable members of the committee are Olugbemiro Jegede, Victor Adoji, Natasha Akpoti, Musa Ahmadu, Olusiji Aina, Rotimi Ajayi, Safiya Ajayi, Dan Oguns and Justina Abaneda.
“I promise to grant local governments financial autonomy.
Ten years ago, local government areas in Kogi State were doing projects and rural roads. Today, no local government in Kogi can dig a well.”
“Local government has no vehicles; salaries are not paid. Some local government secretariats are under lock and key. But we are saying that a new day is coming,” Mr Melaye said.
He described as abysmal the working conditions of the Kogi State civil servants under the present administration, where, he said, they receive stipends instead of their salaries.
“As I speak, Kogi is the only state where a permanent secretary is taking Okada to the office.
“In Kogi today, a level 16 officer is taking N18,000 as salary,
“Today in Kogi, there is no middle class. It is only the rich and the poor. Those in government are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
“The civil service in Kogi State will be reformed, and we will pay salaries on the 25th of every month. We will also pay full salary, ” he said
