It will be recalled that while struggling to wrestle power from the administration of Late Muhammed Alabi Lawal in 2003, Bukola Saraki saw the crucial role the civil servants  as major opinion molders could play in the realization of his dream. Bukola Saraki therefore dishonestly promised that if the state civil servants gave him their support to win the election, civil servants welfare would receive an unprecedented attention of his Government. Among other things that Bukola Saraki pledged while addressing the state workforce at the NLC secretariat were enhanced pay, promotion without delay, respect for the civil service rule/procedure, dignity of labour etc.

But it has at last been discovered that the Eldorado promised by Bukola Saraki to the state workforce is a dishonestly packaged deceit of a person who was desperate to clinch power for his own selfish interest. During the eight years of Bukola Saraki's legitimate tenure, civil servants in the state received the worst treatment ever experienced in the history of the Kwara state civil service. The situation has become even worse during Bukola Saraki's  illegal third term through the installation of his enthusiastic surrogate, AbdulFatah Ahmed from 29th May, 2011 to date.

Against the above stated background, we, of the Civil Service arm of the Kwara Liberation Group (KLG) are calling on our esteemed colleagues to join force with other patriotic Kwarans working tirelessly to liberate our people from the clutches of socio-economic stagnation, abject poverty, political slavery, cultural subjugation etcetera.  

With particular reference to the plight of the Kwara state civil service and its personnel (the Civil Servants), the Kwara Liberation Group has identified various problems that need to be tackled headlong regarding their welfare and the return of the glory of the Kwara state civil service that was once an epitome of excellence in the country. The problems that will be urgently tackled by a genuine Government that will by the grace of God, come into power in the state on 29th May, 2015 include among others:

A.    Amputated Salary Structure: - It is a known fact that the salary structure adopted by the Kwara State Government following the nationwide increment in salary was wickedly amputated. This has ensured that the Kwara State Civil Servants are the least paid in the country. The situation in the neighbouring Kogi and Oyo states as shown in the table below, clearly attests to this; 

B.    Fraudulent Payment of Leave Bonus: The system whereby payment of leave bonus is spread on workers’ salaries throughout the year as against en bloc payment is not in the interest of Kwara state workers. This system of spreading the leave bonus instead of paying it en bloc does not allow the civil servants to utilize the fund for any meaningful purpose.

To be continued. 

Dr. Abdullahi Imam Abdullahi writes from Ilorin.