Okai said the state government is only targeting on how to divert local government funds,its unfortunate that this is coming at a time people are clamouring for autonomous of local government areas.
Okai described the action of State Assembly as opaque and archaic with the modern practices, reminding them of NFIU guidelines would reinforce the existence of Local Government as an independent government, established by the Constitution at the grassroots level with sovereign and elected officials NFIU guidelines which prevents state governments from making withdrawals from local governments’ funds
Okai berated the Kogi state House of Assembly leadership on the passage of a bill to establish a new State University of Science and Technology,when the existing Kogi State University,the ongoing construction of the Teaching Hospital remain underfunded and abandoned, “The government action is only designed and aimed at achieving political gains”
He says the decision of the state lawmakers is completely reckless and subservient to the whims and caprices of the unpopular leadership in Kogi state in the last four and half years.
‘This is a state that had witnessed exodus of notable and highly recognised academic staffs from the Kogi State University, for non salary payments,under payments,irregular payments,but choose to embark on the gigantic projects for political reasons’ .
‘Most of staff and students of the stare colleges of Education,Kogi Polytechnic and College of Nursing and Midwifery Obangede,College of Health science at Idah, have all being laid off and even those in service were not paid their monthly salaries as at when due,yet embarking on building a new institution.’
‘Currently the state workers and Local government staffs are on percentage salaries variously in the last one year,yet we embark on new University for obvious reasons of selfishness and irrational decisions.’
Okai says the decision of the state Lawmakers to approve the building of the institution was to attract over six months non payment of their salaries and allowances at the expense of the good people of the state.
He condemned those who mooted the idea of a new University, as a grave enemies of Kogi state,saying the new University when established will not stand the test of time .