In the interest of coming generations, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State needs to tread cautiously and avoid taking unilateral decisions over adoption of the Federal Government’s cattle colony initiative, Honourable Teejay Yusuf, Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions has said.
“This is beyond politics, I plead with our Governor to please make adequate consultations because traditional rulers are not bona fide owners of land in communities in most, if not all communities across Kogi State,” Hon. Yusuf who represents Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of the state told reporters in Abuja during the weekend.
According to the legislator, several groups and individuals, including members of the governor’s party in the state may turn it into a combustible issue as they are already mobilizing to ensure a strong perception of the governor’s moves on the cattle colony initiative as a colossal unilateral and insensitive decision.
Stressing that his party, PDP will not support concession of any community’s land for the cattle colony initiative, he also stated that PDP is the only hope for ensuring justice for all those unjustifiably affected by the ongoing sack of workers by the Kogi state government.
The lawmaker emphasized that instead of despairing, many victims of Kogi State Government’s recent sack may still hope for a better future as the next PDP administration in the state is bound to revisit all genuine cases.
Between December last year and January this year alone, Kogi State Government which has been having prolonged difficulties in paying salaries sacked 1,774 workers, including eight Permanent Secretaries, thereby prompting many, including Hon. Teejay Yusuf to react.
“All over the world, teachers are respected because they play a major role in shaping the destiny of future generations but regrettably, in Kogi today, a life of penury and gross uncertainty is their reward.
“In 2016, many voters in Kogi State made the mistake of voting for ‘change’ but they now feel gravely shortchanged ; we sympathize with many Kogites going through various ordeals, including the recent sack of their family members.
“Without the absolutely stupendous billions of Paris Club refund, bailout and federal statutory allocations now coming into Kogi from Abuja, the previous PDP administrations in Kogi State were paying workers’ salaries,” he stated.
Speaking further, Hon. Yusuf counseled Kogites to put politics aside and beg Kogi State Government officials to change their insensitive ways because of the lingering suffering, adding that if nothing tangible is done, the entire people of Kogi state should expect liberation from sorrow once PDP returns to power in the state.
“While many critics of the APC administration have attributed the current situation to leadership deficit and blamed people’s harrowing experience on past gullible acceptance of utopian-sounding propaganda and deceitful promises; we feel convinced that there is still cause ahead for hope,” Hon Yusuf stated.
