The Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, and his Benue State counterpart, Gabriel Suswam, have been accused of playing the devil’s advocate with workers’ salary so that they can buy people’s vote with it before election.
Jonathan Gukut, a contributor on the Middlebelt Social Media, The Middle Dialogue, gave this damning verdict while reacting to a SOS message: Plateau State primary teachers are dying of starvation (no salaries since March 2014).
Workers in Benue State are also having it rough with Governor Suswam.
They usually get one month pay out of four months arrears.
However, members of the Forum expressed sadness that in spite of these atrocities being committed by these governors, no government appointee is saying anything.
Jonathan said: “Sadly, this kind of appeal are not echoed by people on this forum because it is well with most of them.”
In his Contribution, Jonathan, a one time Secretary of the Plateau State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, said: “This is one area I expect men of God and leaders of thoughts, including politicians of value to speak out. Effect of such long delays in not paying salaries can lead to a security problem in itself.
“Reports say over 2,000 primary school teachers in Plateau State were last paid their salaries in March, 2014.
“And that these teachers are not on strike.
“These teachers are not sacked.
“The ‘crimes’ committed by these teachers have not been communicated to them.
“These teachers are starving.”
A rights group, headed by Barrister Nankin Bagudu, has also condemned the act, saying owing a worker for more than eight months is a crime against humanity.