The Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, says payment of salaries is not an achievement but a duty of government, insisting that every labourer deserves his wage.
Similarly, the Deputy Governor warned against the level of political violence and intimidation ongoing in the state, revealed that gun men have been mobilized to attack him, called on the attention of President Mohammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director State Security Service, of planned attack at him, his aides, family members or staff.
The Deputy governor stated this while addressing pressmen to correct recent development, lamented that listing payment of salaries as achievements means that government is not working, expressed concerns that governance in the state is been faked, an action he disagrees with, urged for sincerity in governance.
The Deputy Governor said his complaints about non payment of his salaries had to do with the non release of imprest to his office which come with salaries of some aides and workers attached to his office.
The Deputy Governor says the current insecurity in the state is not about kidnapping, armed robbery, but about gun men of government, lamented that, ” you can’t be governor and be the killer of the people “.
Achuba disclosed that imprest due to his office is statutory, a standing order, further disclosed that allowances and benefits accruing to his office since 2017 has not been paid, said the present administration ought to be shameful to say he could not be paid because government had no money.
Achuba maintained that he never at anytime collected money from any contractor as was alleged concerning Ibaji Road, disclosed that the contractor handling the project is unknown him.
The Deputy Governor says his recent visit to the presidency was the tenth in the series, said having exhausted all avenues within the state, he had no choice but to take his case to Mr. President.
The Deputy Governor added that his letter demanding for his salaries and entitlements followed the no response from government, lamented that having gotten the privilege opportunity to serve, wondered why the governor would be lord over the people rather than be a servant to the people.
The Deputy Governor says the rift between him and his principal was about his non performance and infighting between him and perceived enemy’s.
While noting that the lifestyle of leaders should be a thing of interest, urged those given the privilege to govern to be humble, avoid fight that are not necessary.
Achuba said dialogue, persuasion and engagement by government with the people is what is obtained in democracy, lamented a situation where government was fighting everyone from top to bottom.
Secondly, the Deputy Governor explained that his rift with the governor was his conviction that civil servants are insignificant, says from inception of the present administration, salaries had remained an issue with no end in sight.
The Deputy Governor lamented that inspite the prolonged screening of civil servants, the state still does not have a nominal roll, said not withstanding the bailout funds received by the state, issues of salaries would still be an issue, disclosed that only political office holders have been paid till date, as the least civil servants are owed two months.
The Deputy Governor added that his other grouse was insisting on infrastructure development, lamented that it is difficult for the present administration to point at projects it started and completed.
He further disclosed that with the volume of monies the present administration has received, it would have still been able to pay salaries even without the endless screening, with people happy and still able to execute projects.
Achuba maintained that all the fight by the governor since he assumed office were avoidable, says his travail was not because he engaged in anti party activities, but because he was insisting on good governance, said he refused to resign from the office as Deputy Governor, preferred to stay, and help bring change to the system.
The Deputy Governor however thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve. According to Achuba, ” I want to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the governor of Kogi State for the privilege he gave to me to serve as Deputy Governor. I must appreciate him because if you look at the circumstance under which we all came to power. it was within his discretion to choose his junior brother as deputy governor because the constitution did not say well it must be so-so or that kind of person. So that opportunity remains an indelible gesture that I will always remain grateful and be happy for it, else I wouldn’t be standing here to address you in the first place as the deputy governor of Kogi State”