The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been urged by the Nigeria Labour Congress to address concerns about the salary percentages for primary school teachers and local government employees in the state.
The request was made on Monday in Lokoja by Gabriel Amari, the chairman of the Kogi State NLC.
He pointed out that Basic Education is no longer effective because of the local government’s salary percentage payment.
“Public commentators argue that as long as workers in local government earn percentage salaries, economic growth at the grassroots will remain a mirage.
“Unfortunately, the percentage payments to workers at Local government gives rise to financial pressure and increase in rural-urban migrations.
“Your Excellency, as your tenor draws to an end, we urge you to compel the authorities in charge of local government to restore payment of complete salaries to workers to bring ( them at par with their state counterparts,” he said.
He added that insecurity issues also called for attention as many industries and factories have closed and relocated to neighbouring countries where their safety is guaranteed.
He added, “The hydra-headed insecurity monster has engulfed our country in all forms and all parts: ISWA/Boko Haram in the North East, banditry and kidnapping that is headquartered -in the North West, Fulani herdsmen attacks mainly in Middle-Belt and other regions, IPOB secessionist killings in the South East, inter-tribal wars Communal clashes, kidnapping for ransom all over Nigeria, the list is endless.
“It is disheartening and painful to note that despite all your efforts in the area of insecurity, there are still security infractions in the state. Recently, at Aloko Ogane-Enugu Community in Dekina Local Government, many lives and properties were lost due to the herdsmen attack.
“To face the new wave of Fulani herdsmen gorilla-styled attacks, the government should rejig its security architecture by deploying community police, vigilante and hunter groups. Arguably, conventional policing cannot cover the nukes and crannies of the state.
“Research revealed that policing in modern times is hinged on intelligence gathering, so government and all security agencies should focus on intelligence gathering to stay ahead of criminals.
”It is a fact that Kogi State is an agrarian society; farmers depend on cropping and other agricultural Practices to earn a living. Therefore, the frequent attacks by herdsmen on farmers constitute a huge threat to the social and economic stability of the state.”
