WHEN WILL OUR GOVERNMENT STOP BEING IRRESPONSIBLE?

By: Kenkwo,Kesaandu Kingsley

One thing our government in Nigeria has failed to understand is that occupying a public office is all about service. It is a privilege for one to serve the people as it is a good opportunity to write one's name in gold in the sands of time.

With the latest news of the government of Bayelsa state signing into law pensions for legislators, that is; five hundred thousand naira for Speaker, two hundred and fifty thousand naira for Deputy Speaker and a hundred thousand naira for other members respectively, one begins to wonder how irresponsible and unreasonable our so-called government can be.

In our country today, most state government finds it extremely difficult to pay workers salaries not to talk of pensions and gratuity but a state like Bayelsa with unpaid pensions and gratuity had no shame but went ahead to talk about this unspeakable act. Misplacement of priority amongst our government is getting to its apex.
Who did they consult before taking such irresponsible decision? Was there a public hearing before passage? Of course no, because they know it is wrong and true democrat and right thinking citizen will support it.

The good people of Bayelsa must rise against this act. Government can not continue to hoodwink, humiliate and suffer us when they are supposed to protect and take adequate care of us.
They find it very difficult to pay those who served for thirty five years with all sincerity and hard work their pensions and gratuity but it was so simple and easy to sign it for those of them who stayed for just four years and were also handsomely paid during their time in the name of salaries, personal and constituency allowances with little or no impact in the society.

Often times, I have referred to our pensioners as the heroes mentioned in our national anthem whose efforts should not be allowed to be in vain and must be treated with maximum respect.

Every citizen of this country has to stand against this ugly and evil trend that is coming because if allowed to stay in Bayelsa, another state shall copy and it will become the order of the day thereby increasing the rate and desperation of our politician as regards occupying position which they now know has life benefit. This will not speak well of our society.
I humbly appeal cum advise the Governor of Bayelsa state Governor not to wait for one to challenge this in court but rather, have a rethink to work for the law to be repealed as it is undemocratic and unnecessary.
I also urge the National Assembly to work towards bills making public offices less attractive as it should be a call to serve.
NIGERIA MUST BE BETTER, THIS IS MY PRAYER.

Kenkwo,Kesaandu Kingsley (KKK) hails from Umuezegwu, Ihitte, Ihitte/Uboma L.G.A., IMO State.

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