The Kogi State Government has asserted that no provision has been made for additional wages for workers in the state to counterbalance the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
The state Commissioner for Finance, Ashiru Idris, clarified this position on Tuesday during a session with journalists on the sidelines of a citizens’ engagement in the 2024 budget formulation in Lokoja, the state capital.
Commissioner Idris stated, “If you look at the salary structure of the state civil service, you will realize that it’s higher than most states in the country, therefore, apart from the palliative for the general public, there is no provision for further award to civil servants and so no provision for it to be captured in the budget.”
He emphasized that the government’s primary focus is on creating an enabling environment for workers, ensuring minimal hardships through the provision of social amenities and infrastructural facilities to improve the quality of life for the people.
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However, the statement from the Commissioner contradicts claims made by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Gabriel Amari.
Amari asserted that the organized labour had written to the government, and the governor had promised to hold a consultative meeting with them after the election to discuss their request.
“We have a copy of the letter and the reply of the governor with me, so I cannot react to the commissioner’s statement until I hear from him directly, then I will make my comments,” said Amari.
Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, the Chairperson of Kogi NGOs Network, also weighed in on the situation, advocating for the enactment of budget transparency laws.
He stressed the need for laws that guarantee the right to access budget information and mandate the disclosure of key budget documents, creating a legal framework for transparency and accountability.
Additionally, he called for the strengthening of institutional capacity to ensure effective budget management and reporting by government agencies responsible for budget formulation, implementation, and oversight.
The discrepancies between the government and labour unions highlight the challenges in navigating the economic impact of policy changes and the importance of effective communication between stakeholders.
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