The Kogi State government has debunked allegations that it received the bailout approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but refused to pay workers’ salaries.
Commissioner for Finance Alfa Zakari, who debunked the allegations while reacting to the protests by local government workers, described it as disinformation and mere assumptions, urging government workers to exercise more patience.
He explained that Kogi and three other states – Oyo, Delta and Benue- were yet to access the fund, cautioning the workers against protests that could destabilise the peace in the state.
Noting that the workers had exercised commendable patience, Zakari urged them not to resort to chaos when a solution was around the corner.
He said he was in Abuja with the Deputy Governor for the Federal Allocations Committee (FAC) and the monthly National Economic Council (NEC) meetings, adding that they were in touch with the CBN to facilitate the release of the bailout.
“As at Thursday, September 17, what the CBN governor said was that 18 states had accessed the money. Four other states are being processed.
“And these states are Oyo, Delta, Kogi and Benue. So, as it is now, we have not been paid.
“The government appreciates the patience of the workers but reassures them that on receipt of the money, no delay whatsoever will occur in making sure that all the outstandings are paid.
“The whole process will be transparent; notices will be published, Kogi people will see clearly what is being paid and to whom, across the entire state.
“We sympathise with the protesting workers because they have been very understanding. However, on this account, they have been misinformed that the bailout fund has been released. It has not.
“We appeal to them to be patient. They have been patient for a long time. The solution is just around the corner now and we will still appeal to them that they should not be used as political tools in causing upheaval and destabilising the peaceful nature of the state. It will be most unfortunate if fifth columnists capitalise on such protests to wreak havoc.
“The moment it is paid, workers will feel the impact immediately,” Zakari said.