Kogiflame
The Director-General, Kogi State Road Traffic Maintenance Agency (KOTRAMA), Hon. Abdulrazaq Aminu (Okakanda), has dismissed rumours making rounds that workers affiliated with the agency receive a meager N10,000 as monthly salary and are paid percentage-based salaries.
Recalled that workers in the agency has alleged that the state government still pay them N10,000 naira as salary despite the new minimum wage approved by the state governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo.
However, in a swift reaction, Hon Aminu in a press statment issued said the agency, since its creation and enactment into law by the Kogi State House of Assembly in 2018, has consistently discharged its responsibilities, effectively managing road traffic issues, conducting vehicle inspections, and fulfilling other related purposes without failure.
The Director-General explained that workers at KOTRAMA are not civil servants, but rather ad-hoc staff.
The statement read: “Their functions, remuneration, and benefits are governed by Section 28, Subsection B, which stipulates that ‘at the end of every month, the Agency shall retain only 20% as an administrative charge from the total generated revenue, while 80% shall be remitted into the Kogi State Internally Generated Revenue account’.
“Prior to my assumption of office in March 2024, the Agency’s records revealed that the ad-hoc staff typically generated monthly revenues between N100,000 to N180,000, and with 20%, they will be going home with meagre stipend.
“Upon assuming office, I was troubled by the ad-hoc staff’s meager earnings and wondered how they managed to sustain themselves in their roles. I conducted a thorough investigation into the Agency’s activities, which revealed that some staff members had been engaging in unethical practices, including taxing motorists without remitting the funds to the Agency for proper accounting and logging into the revenue account.
“This offense warranted dismissal, but after the culprits pleaded, the penalty was waived, and they were instead placed under close monitoring. Despite that, I wrote a memo pleading for upward consideration of the percentage which Gov Ododo approved instantly.
“The state government’s decision to now allocate 50% of the revenue for administrative purposes was a special consideration intended to benefit the ad-hoc staff far above other state government workers. Nevertheless, considering their subpar productivity, it is essential to examine who is accountable for this disappointing outcome.
“Although the Agency faces equipment shortages that could have enhanced productivity, an issue the State government is also currently addressing. This challenge does not excuse the staff’s lack of integrity and accountability.
“It’s no secret that the detractors of Kogi State are unhappy with the remarkable progress achieved under the leadership of His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo. The Governor’s exemplary commitment to the welfare of Kogi citizens, particularly civil servants, is evident in the improved minimum wage, prompt payment of 100% salaries, pension, and gratuity.
“We urge those who are envious of these achievements to acknowledge the Governor’s efforts and give credit where it’s due. If they cannot appreciate the progress being made, perhaps they should redirect their negative energy elsewhere.
“Governor Ododo’s administration has indeed brought about transformative changes in Kogi State, and it’s essential to recognize and celebrate these accomplishments.”
