Workers under the Kogi State Transport Management Agency (KOTRAMA) and some staff of tertiary institutions and state agencies have called on Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo to address the issue of poor and percentage-based salaries in the state.
While civil servants across Kogi State have lauded the governor for his consistent and timely payment of full salaries, workers in certain agencies say they are being left behind. Some KOTRAMA staff, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that they still receive a meager N10,000 monthly salary.
Similarly, workers in some tertiary institutions and agencies in the state have decried the continued payment of only 80-85% of their salaries. They appealed to Governor Ododo to address the disparity, noting that other state and local government workers now receive 100% of their wages.
Since assuming office in January 2024, Governor Ododo has been praised for his commitment to revitalizing the civil service. His administration has maintained a policy of timely salary payments, with workers consistently paid before the 24th of each month. In December, salaries were paid as early as the 14th, marking a significant achievement for his administration.
However, this success has not been felt by KOTRAMA staff. Efforts to get a response from the General Manager of the agency were unsuccessful as he was not available for comment.
It was recalled that KOTRAMA staff were previously asked to vacate the roads following a court ruling. Upon their recall, they were reportedly required to remit 20% of the agency’s earnings towards salary payments, resulting in workers taking home only N10,000 monthly. Recent unconfirmed reports suggest that the new management received approval to retain 50% of the agency’s earnings, but staff say their pay has not improved.
The affected workers have appealed to Governor Ododo to review their situation. They cited his decision to absorb vigilante staff into the state civil service, granting them a minimum wage of N72,000. They expressed hope that similar action could be taken for them, warning that some members of his administration could tarnish his legacy if the issue is not addressed.
The workers’ plea highlights ongoing challenges in the state’s wage structure, even as the government continues to win accolades for its broader civil service reforms.
