Concerned Senators donate over 1, 200 bags of rice to Kogi workers

Some Concerned Senators on Wednesday, resolved to alleviate the plight of workers in Kogi following the non-payment of salaries by the state government.

The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye made this known while briefing reporters in Abuja.

Meantime, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ayuba Wabba has called on well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the Kogi workers by donating food items and relief materials.

Earlier, during plenary, following a Point of Order Melaye described the situation in Kogi state as pitiable.

He said, “Kogi workers have not been paid salaries‎ for about 16 to 21 months. The non-payment of salaries is now a major cause of suicide in the state.

“Mr. President, this morning with a bleeding heart I bring to the notice of the Senate the very very pitiable situation of civil servant in Kogi. Today in my state we live in perilous time.

“He cited the unfortunate incident of a civil servant who committed suicide, upon receiving information that his wife gave birth to triplets because he has not been paid for 11 months.

“Another case is that of a civil servant who resorted to crying because he couldn’t provide N3, 000 to pay for his sick child’s medical bill, which unfortunately died.

“These are just two out of hundred incidents in Kogi, and as representatives of the people, we cannot keep quiet when such things are happening in one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“If we take Kogi out of Nigeria, there can never be a Nigeria”, he said.

He urged the President of the Senate to draw the attention of ‎President Muhammadu Buhari to the matter for appropriate intervention.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki noted Melaye’s point and promised to look into the matter.

END