vigopress:
*Yahaya Bello: The Unending Controversy of Salary Backlogs*


Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello is one of the most criticized governors in Nigeria due to perceived inability to clear salary backlogs which predated his administration. It's a known fact that the dwindling in oil revenue since 2014 led to decrease in monthly allocation to states from federation account, thus hindering smooth running of government activities including payment of workers' salaries and pensions.

Although, federal government under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari released bail out fund for states to pay outstanding salaries but the Kogi experience was different as Governor Yahaya Bello met worse situation on ground. The unfriendly situation he met upon assumption of office in January 2016 include; outstanding salaries/pensions (eight months for State workforce and 25 months percentage for LG workers), porous civil service administration/payroll system and FG dependent economy.

Therefore, the governor introduced screening exercise for workforce to sanitize the civil service as well as clean up the payroll. This move was part of holistic approach geared towards actualising *The New Direction Agenda for Kogi* and put the confluence state on path of sustainable progress.

Admittedly, the screening process affected salary/pension payment but it's a child necessity like Treasury Single Account (TSA), Bank Verification Number (BVN), Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and Biometric Data Verification for pensioners implemented by President Muhammadu Buhari at the federal level. The screening exercise that covers certificate verification, Biometric Data Capturing and forensic investigations led to discovery of over 5000 ghost workers with additional 5000 others culpable of certificate forgery and other sharp practices. The sanitization of payroll system is going gradually in many states of the federation. Osun state government recently uncovered about 1000 staff involved in certificate infractions while neighbouring states: Kwara, Nasarawa and Ekiti have done the same.

However, some mafias and politicians are cashing on the pathetic situation which calls for sober reflections to dent the image of Governor Yahaya Bello as well as overblown it for selfish interest. For records, many states including those receiving higher allocation than Kogi are still battling with issue of salary backlogs even up to 24months percentage.

Furthermore, the fifth columnists have turned this emotional issue to daily topic by spreading false information to rubbish APC led government in Kogi state. Hence, the need to set the record straight as Kogi state average monthly allocation before 2018 is N2.5billion and currently at N3.5-4billion with wage bill of N2.8billion. Apart from that, the state also needs use the scarce resources to provide social amenities, infrastructure, attend to every sector, meet yearning of artisans, traders and other stratum of the society, run government activities and service loan.

Despite the backbreaking challenges Governor Bello has reduced the salary arrears to four months for Kogi State Government workers except for judicial staff while Local government staffers are owed about 30months percentage (not full salary) and paying pensioners base on availability of fund.

It's noteworthy that the energetic and resourceful governor was able to achieve this through significant improvement in Kogi state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N300million to over N1billion monthly, block leakages in government activities and innovate processes assisting the state to get value for money.

It's therefore imperative for civil servants to continue to show understanding and avoid temptation for desperate politicians scheming at using them against the state government while Kogites should keep hope alive because Governor Yahaya Bello is committed towards making Kogi a better place for all

Media Strike Squad

http://factualtimesng.com/yahaya-bello-the-unending-controversy-of-salary-backlogs/

yudee233:
They should try and resume to create employment

nghubs1:


The Enugu state Governor Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has approved reconstruction of 263 classrooms as well as rural and urban roads in the state.

According to a statement by Louis Amoke the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, and made available to NGHUBS, the approval of the project was due to the governors strive for development in the state.

He also added that the governor approved recruitment of 53 personnel to man the new fire service units newly constructed in various senatorial zones in the state.

The statement read

The post-election actions and inactions of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration in Enugu State in sustaining the tempo of peace and good governance have further demonstrated the governor’s sheer dexterity, vision, passion and commitment to rapid development of the state as well as the wellbeing of the people.

Gov. Ugwuanyi who was overwhelmingly reelected through an election adjudged as one of the most peaceful and transparent exercise in the nation’s history, has remained grateful to God and residents of Enugu State for His abundance of grace and the people’s unceasing prayers, show of solidarity, goodwill and support. The governor saw the people’s love and support as a re-investment of their trust and faith in his administration to render more selfless service.

The renewed mandate was therefore, a veritable platform to continue to reward them with good governance as the true heroes of democracy.

Consequently, Gov. Ugwuanyi in his acceptance speech pledged “to devote our energy and time to work hard for the wellbeing and prosperity of all our people”, declaring that “now is the time to get back to work”. He reaffirmed his resolve to continue to serve with the fear of God to improve the lives of the people and lift the state to unprecedented heights of development and progress.

Shortly after his reelection, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who had earlier paid 'Thank-you visits' to markets and streets of Enugu, returned to the streets on a post-contract inspection of roads such as the old UNTH road, Enugu, Ogidi Street and Onyeama lane in Asata, Enugu, preparatory to immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction. He also inspected the ongoing reconstruction of Carter Street, Asata, Enugu, which was awarded by his administration during the pre-election period, as well as the erosion menace at Okwuosa Bridge, Ogui, Enugu, where he promised a swift intervention.

A few days after, contracts for execution of the inspected projects and many others, such as the zonal secretariat annex at Nsukka town and additional works at Nkwo Inyi-Akpugoeze-Mamu Forest road in Oji River Local Government Area and Nike Lake junction - Harmony Estate road – Amorji Nike - Adoration Pilgrimage centre (Phase one), were awarded, totaling over N1.1 billion.

Also in the post-election moves, the Ugwuanyi administration awarded multiple contracts for the construction/reconstruction of urban and rural roads and 263 classroom blocks including the purchase of two Hilux vans for effective monitoring and supervision of the projects.

Approval was also given for the construction of a state-of-the-art administrative building of the Enugu State University of Education in Ihe, Awgu Local Government Area. The foundation-laying of the first university of education in the entire South East geopolitical zone was performed by Gov. Ugwuanyi a few days ago, amid jubilation and excitement.

The state government during the period under review also approved the purchase of 22,150 set of lockers and chairs for students; 1,228 set of tables and chairs for the teachers; 1, 130 marker boards for teaching and 1,960 ceiling fans for conducive learning environment.

Other development projects that received the approval of the government for “better urban, inter-local government and community road infrastructure”, include, Aludele road, Nsukka; Bishop’s Court road, Awgu; Access road to Igbo Ano Specialist Hospital, Igbo Ano, and failed culvert, pavement and surfacing at Onuiyi road, Nsukka adjacent to Zik’s residence.

Still on infrastructure, the state government equally gave approvals for the “engineering studies and design” of Oji River and Nsukka modern township stadia for Enugu West and Enugu North Senatorial Districts respectively, pre-contract documentations for the construction of state secretariat annex at Nsukka satellite town which has been duly awarded for construction, and recruitment of 52 personnel for the State Fire Service to man the five newly built stations across the three senatorial districts of the state, for efficient and effective discharge of duties.

It is on record that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration few weeks to the general election awarded N1.4 billion worth of contracts for the rehabilitation/reconstruction of One Day Road, Awkunanaw, Enugu; Construction of Phase II of Nike Lake junction - Harmony Estate road - Amorji Nike - Adoration Pilgrimage Centre (road works); Rehabilitation of Kenyatta Market road/failed sections/potholes/Onah street, Enugu; Rehabilitation of Umumba Ndiagu-Ebenebe road (phase one), Ezeagu LGA.

Others include, the reconstruction of Amankwo - Amaeke Ngwo - Ama Brewery junction road (Bypass); Extension of Amalla-Orba- Orie Orba -Eke Ovoko- Ovoko junction road, and Rehabilitation of Pocket Layout internal roads, Independence Layout, Enugu, etc.

All these projects, which are ongoing, were in keeping with the governor’s commitment to full implementation of the 2019 budget to advance the cause of development in the state for the wellbeing of the people.

Recently, Enugu State came second in the list of the five most reformed states in ease of doing business in the country that were rewarded by the Federal Government at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Awards 2019.

http://nghubs.com.ng/2019/04/13/governor-ugwuanyi-to-reconstruct-over-200-classrooms-and-several-roads/