People of Kogi State Will Witness a New Thing – Pastor Adeboye

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye on Saturday dedicated the newly built sixty million naira, 2600 sitting capacity Kogi province 3 Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lokoja.

Represented  by the National Overseer of the church, Pastor J.F Adesola, Adeboye said the  people of Kogi state will witness a new thing henceforth, declaring the new edifice as a place of Grace.

He declared that God will roll away their past from the state with the completion of the cathedral. He urged Nigerians irrespective of their religious leaning, noting that God is not a God of tribe, appealed to Nigerians to be united for their prayers to be answered.

Expounding Isiah 43:19, Pastor Adesola urged the people to reposition themselves for the outpouring of the blessings of God. He maintained that God is interested in the welfare of his people and urged the government to make the welfare and well-being of its people a priority.

Pastor Adesola who also prayed for Kogi state government declared that God will make the state to be the best despite its current challenge. He added that God is interested in making the state an envy to others.

The General Overseer’s representative, thanked members of Kogi State Executive Council who have been supporting the work of God in the state, said their lives would be like trees planted by the river.

Earlier, the pastor in charge of the Redeem Christian Church of God Kogi province 3, Pastor Emmanuel Uroupagha acknowledge the power of God in the building and completion of the church. He prayed for the blessings of God in the lives of the people.

The church dedication witnessed healing, deliverance, salvation and diverse miracles. Praises and thanksgiving were also offered to God.

The newly dedicated 2600-sitting capacity church

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Lokoja Tanker Accident; Omede Decries Incessant Loss of Lives on Felele Road

A Past National President of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Idris Omede has commiserated with the families of victims of the unfortunate tanker fire in Lokoja last Friday.

In a press statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Sunday, Omede called for concerted efforts by Kogi State and Federal Government and relevant agencies of Government, particularly the FRSC to identify the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate accident and find a lasting solution to the problem.

“Last Friday accident that claimed about 25 lives is one too many accidents on that road. This is the worst in recent history and calls for concern from all and sundry.

“I learnt this particular accident occurred a bad portion of the Federal road around Total filling station in Felele. While join the calls on Federal Government to revisit the construction of Abuja-Lokoja-Okene road, the contract that was awarded many years ago, Omede, who currently is the President of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria(APBN), appeals to the state government to fix the bad portions on the road as a temporary measure to safe lives.

“Many lives has been lost on this Abuja- Lokoja- Okene road, especially  around the Felele axis of the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene road. There is a constant heavy vehicular threat to the lives of many Kogi State Polytechnic students and staff, traders and civil servants living  around the Felele area of this ever busy highway, that connects the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria.

“I call on Kogi state government and stakeholders in the state to treat this call as an emergency and engaged the Federal Ministry of Work to expedite work on this road. The wanton loss of lives from preventable causes on this road is painful. It should be addressed squarely, urgently and seriously, without further delay”, the former NMA President said.

Omede mourned the HND II student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Mariam Amodu, who died in the unfortunate accident. He prayed that God grant the family the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

Mariam, who was buried at Ogbogbo in Igalamela-Odolu local government area of Kogi State, was a student in the Business Administration department before she died in the accident.

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Paris Club: Kogi Releases N4.2 Billion For Workers’ Salary, N2bn To LGs

Paris Club: Kogi Releases N4.2 Billion For Workers’ Salary, N2bn To LGs



The Kogi Government has released N2 billion to the 21 local government councils in the state as their share of the N6.2 billion of the Paris Club refund the state received from the Federal Government.


A statement issued in Lokoja on Saturday by the Commissioner of Finance, Idris Asiru, said the government’s share of the refund was N4.02 billion.
He said that N1. 716 billion out of the government share had been released for the payment of May and June salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff in tertiary institutions.
Mr. Ashiru said that N1. 323 billion was expended on the payment of May and June pensions of retired workers.


The commissioner added that N987, 540, 000 was expended on the payment of May salary of workers in ministries, departments and agencies.
“In addition, the Ministry of Finance made additional fund of N3,219,145,997.12 available to the Accountant-General to clear arrears of May salary of civil servants.
He assured that workers who were indicted by the screening exercise and granted clemency by Gov. Yahaya Bello would be paid.


Mr. Asiru said that staff of the judiciary, the Legislature and political office holders had since been paid their June salaries.
“It is important to note that Gov. Yahaya Bello directed that the state should use all the Paris Refund to clear outstanding salaries and pensions as against the undertaken with the Federal Government to use only 75 per cent of the refund,” the statement quoted Mr. Asiru as saying.
– NAN

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Pipeline Vandalism: NSCDC Arrest 19-Yr Old, 10 Others in Kogi

A 19 years old boy identified as Bala Ibrahim has been arrested by the Kogi state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly vandalising power installations and communication cables in Lokoja,  the state capital.

The command also arrested 10 other suspects for their involvement in conspiracy and destruction of oil and gas facilities belonging to the government.

Parading the suspects in Lokoja, the state commandant of NSCDC, Everestus Obiyo said on 23rd July, Bala Ibrahim was arrested while attempting to steal armoured cables belonging to  Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) at the housing unit, Lokoja .

According to the  Commandant,  the suspect was nabbed with four rolls of vandalised armoured cables,  feeder pillars bar and various tools used in the vandalization .

Obiyo explained that the confession  of the suspect, led to the arrest of an accomplice,only identified as Labor Ali aka Danwani who specializes in the purchase of stolen electrical equipments

Also,  the command  paraded nine other suspects namely Adugbu Sunday, Abdulganiyu Salihu, Abduljafaru Asukumi, Salihu Jimoh, Suleiman Ayo, Farin Kaya, Isaac Toni, Jemilu Haladu and Suleiman Adade for alleged illegal mining,  and stealing of pipeline steel facilities.

The state commandant who lamented at the incessant destruction of power installations in the state vowed to stop at nothing to curb the ugly trend.

“This criminal act by some undeserved elements in the society who kept on vandalising public infrastructures has brought negative  consequences  to the economy”, he noted.

Items recovered from the suspects include, filing machines, set of Yamaha Generator, Qlink motorcycle, Toyota Hiace Open Van, 2 long length of petroleum Steel pipeline, logs of wood, and a truck load of Felspar minerals.

However  the 11 suspects, according to the commandant will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded.

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Civil Servants’ Salary: Kogi Assembly Summons Finance Commissioner, Accountant General, Others

The Kogi State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner of Finance, State Account General, Acting Head of Service and SUBEB Chairperson to give an up-to-date brief on the details of civil servants salary.

The House gave the resolution on Thursday following a Motion raised in plenary by the Member representing Yagba East Constituency, Hon Musa Jimoh Omiata.

Supporting, Hon Victor Omofaye described the motion as one which calls for sober reflection.

“I want to believe that every member of this Hollow Chamber should be in support of this motion even if some member decide to remain mute.

“We may all recall that I Hon. Victor Adewale Omofaiye raised similar issue while the Governor was here sometimes ago,” he said.

He also emphasized on the need for the summoned Executive cabinet members to explain to the house with attached documents.

The Speaker, Rt Hon Umar Ahmed Imam backed the motion, and has directed that the summoned persons appear before the House next week.

The 6th Assembly marked the beginning of the 3rd legislative year.

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Kogi State University: Advert For Massive Staff Recruitment (Details)

Kogi State University Anyigba, was established on 18 November, 1999 and currently, has a total student population of over 23,000 students spread across its seven (7) Faculties of Agriculture, Arts and Humanities, Education, Law, Management Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and a College of Health Sciences. Though a State University, Kogi State University accommodates a significant number of non indigenes, from all parts of Nigeria.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the position below:

Job Title: Assistant Lecturer
Location: Anyigba, Kogi
Department: Animal Production, Agricultural Economics, Crop Production, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife, Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Soil & Environmental Management, Arabic & Islamic Studies, History & International Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Theatre Arts, Economics Edu., Geography, Social Studies, Business Education, Agricultural Education, English, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Biology, Chemistry Edu., Physics Edu., Mathematics, Library & Information Science, Human Kinetics & Health Education, English & Literary Studies, Accounting, Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Economics, Geography/Planning, Mass Communication, Political Science, Sociology, Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Chemical Pathology, Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Medical Microbiology, Pathology, Anaesthesia, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics and Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ophthalmology, Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ENT, Psychiatry, Radiology

Qualifications and Experience

The candidate shall possess a Master’s degree. Holders of first degree from programmes of 5 or more years duration shall be eligible for appointment, provided they show aptitude for teaching and research, who must have met other professional criteria.

 

Emoluments and Benefits
As applicable in Federal Universities in Nigeria.

Job Title: Lecturer II
Location: Anyigba, Kogi
College of Health: Clinical Sciences
Area of Specialization: Radiology, Psychiatry, Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paediatrics and Child Health, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Community Medicine, Anaesthesia, Pathology, Medical Microbiology, Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Chemical Pathology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Medical Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomy, Sociology, Political Science, Mass Communication, Geography/Planning, Economics, Physics Edu., Chemistry Edu., English, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Biology, Geography, Social Studies, Agricultural Education, Business Education, Library & Information Science, Human Kinetics & Health Education, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, Accounting, Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Biological Sciences

Qualifications and Experience

The candidate must possess at least a Master’s degree, with at least 3 years of teaching and research and be of good character. A fresh Ph.D holder may be considered for appointment.Part I Fellowship (National or West Africa), FRCS, MRCP.

 

Emoluments and Benefits
As applicable in Federal Universities in Nigeria.

Job Title: Lecturer I
Location: Anyigba, Kogi
Department: Animal Production, Agricultural Economics, Crop Production, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife, Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Soil & Environmental Management, Arabic & Islamic Studies, English & Literary Studies, History & International Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Theatre Arts, Economics Edu., Geography, Social Studies, Agricultural Education, Library & Information Science, Human Kinetics & Health Education, English, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Biology, Chemistry Edu., Physics Edu, Mathematics, Accounting, Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Microbiology, Physics, Biochemistry, Economics, Geography/Planning, Mass Communication, Political Science, Sociology, Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Chemical Pathology, Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Medical Microbiology, Pathology, Anaesthesia, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics and Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ophthalmology, Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ENT), Psychiatry, Radiology

Qualifications and Experience

A Ph.D. holder with a minimum of 3 years of teaching/research experience and considerable publications or a Master’s degree holder with at least 6 years of teaching or other relevant experience, who must demonstrate aptitude for teaching and research, and must be of good character.

RELATED:  Elizade University massive recruitment, February 2016

Emoluments and Benefits
As applicable in Federal Universities in Nigeria.

 

 

Job Title: Professor
Location: Anyigba, Kogi
College of Health: Clinical Sciences
Area of Specialization: Animal Production, Agricultural Economics, Crop Production, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife, Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Soil & Environmental Management, Arabic & Islamic Studies, English & Literary Studies, History & International Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Theatre Arts, Economics Edu., Geography, Social Studies, Agricultural Education, Library & Information Science, Human Kinetics & Health Education, English, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Biology, Chemistry Edu., Physics Edu, Mathematics, Accounting, Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Microbiology, Physics, Biochemistry, Economics, Geography/Planning, Mass Communication, Political Science, Sociology, Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Chemical Pathology, Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Medical Microbiology, Pathology, Anaesthesia, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics and Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ophthalmology, Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ENT), Psychiatry, Radiology
Qualifications and Experience

A Ph.D. holder with a minimum of ten years experience at University level and capacity with time to teach and develop undergraduate and postgraduate courses, play a major role in the academic leadership in the discipline.Postgraduate supervision at Ph.D. or equivalent level, and considerable background of research.He/she is also required to give an inaugural lecture in his area of discipline and carry out any other academic and administrative duties that may be assigned.

Emoluments and Benefits
As applicable in Federal Universities in Nigeria.

 

 

Job Title: Senior Lecturer
Location: Anyigba, Kogi
College of Health: Clinical Sciences
Area of Specialization: Animal Production, Agricultural Economics, Crop Production, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife, Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Soil & Environmental Management, Arabic & Islamic Studies, English & Literary Studies, History & International Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Theatre Arts, Economics Edu., Geography, Social Studies, Agricultural Education, Library & Information Science, Human Kinetics & Health Education, English, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Biology, Chemistry Edu., Physics Edu, Mathematics, Accounting, Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Microbiology, Physics, Biochemistry, Economics, Geography/Planning, Mass Communication, Political Science, Sociology, Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Chemical Pathology, Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Medical Microbiology, Pathology, Anaesthesia, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics and Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ophthalmology, Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ENT), Psychiatry, Radiology
Qualifications and Experience

A Ph.D. holder with a minimum of 6 years post qualification experience and considerable publications, must demonstrate strong evidence or potential for continued research activity and academic leadership.The candidate must show evidence of good performance in teaching and research, and must be of good character.

 

Emoluments and Benefits
As applicable in Federal Universities in Nigeria.

 

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit fifteen (15) typewritten copies of their applications, credentials and detailed Curriculum Vitae, giving the following information in the order listed below:

Full Name (Surname in block)Post Desired and DepartmentDate of BirthPlace of Birth, State of Origin and Local Government AreaNationalityPermanent Home Address (Not P.O.Box or P.M.B Current Postal AddressGSM NumberMarital StatusNumber of Children with Names and AgesInstitutions Attended (with dates)Academic Qualifications (with dates)Professional Qualifications (with dates) where applicableList of Publications with details of Titles, Publishers, or Journals, dates and pages (where applicable)Work experience (General and Specific Experience with dates)Details of Administrative Experience and Service to the Community (with status and dates)Present Employment, Status, SalaryEmployer(s) Address(es), Postal, E-mail and Contact GSM Number(s)Extra Curricular ActivitiesNames and Addresses of three (3) Referees, two (2) of whom must be professionals or authorities in the relevant fields. The referees must be requested by the applicant to forward directly to the Registrar, confidential reports on the applicant indicating the post desired.

Each applicant should indicate at the top left corner of the package, the position applied for. The application should be addressed and sent to:

The Registrar,
Kogi State

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FG to Complete Abandoned Lokoja, Baro and Oguta Port Projects in Two Years

Federal Government on Tuesday assured Nigerians that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) would complete the Lokoja, Baro and Oguta River ports before the end of the present administration.

Minister of transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, gave the assurance at the 2017 NIWA International Conference and Exhibition tagged ‘Improving Navigability and Inland Port Development for Sustainable Investment on Nigerian Waterways,’ held in Lagos, Tuesday.

Amaechi, who said that budgetary appropriations have been made to ensure the completion of the Baro, Lokoja and Oguta River ports urged private sector to maximally utilise the network of Rivers, Creeks, Lagoons and lakes in the country.

The minister however tasked the NIWA to procure bigger dredgers in order for the agency to perform better in its operational activities.

“Similarly, adequate budgetary appropriations have been made to ensure the completion of the Baro, Lokoja and Oguta River ports within the lifespan of this administration,” he added.

“We are pleased to confirm that we have recorded tremendous progress on the concessioning of Onitsha River Port and we are very hopeful that the process of concessioning of the port will be completed before the end on the year.”

“I am happy to announce that NIWA, especially under its new leadership, has been able to look inward and through their in-house engineers, have commenced the maintenance dredging of the Ajaokuta to Onitsha channels of River Niger; and this will save the country huge sums of money. Thus, I implore NIWA to procure bigger dredgers that have bigger capacity to perform better than they are doing presently.

“Another area that should earn our commendations on the activities of NIWA is the progress recorded over the amendment of the NIWA Bill at the National Assembly. The bill has gone through third reading at the Senate and it is hoped that the House of Representatives will also support and endorse the new bill, which in essence will enhance the capacity of NIWA to enforce her rules and regulations, resolve the present crisis with her sister parastatals and other government agencies, and boost the revenue profile of the Authority in order to make it self-sustaining.

“In the industry today, NIWA is also unveiling the Aquatic Wed Harvester (FX-IIB) and the Vegetative Cutter (AVC)-Swamp Devils I, II, and III which will go a long way in clearing water hyacinth on our waterways and enhance navigation especially in the Southern part of the country.

Boss Mustapha, managing director of NIWA said that the agency is focused on developing inland ports for cargo handling and passenger operations in order to create connectivity for multi-modal transport linkages (Road-Rail-Waterways-Sea) transport.

“One of the focuses of this conference is to encourage government and stakeholders to strengthen the desired machinery towards deriving the benefits of investments in Coastal and Inland Shipping Operations on the Nigerian waterways,” he said.

“To achieve this developmental goal, NIWA has commissioned an in-house project team to embark on a continuous dredging of the entire waterways in Nigeria, which was flagged off by the Minister of Transportation with an overwhelming support of Governor of Kogi State on the 28th of April, 2017 at the Ajaokuta jetty. This is aimed at sweeping silts and deepening the waterways for smooth navigation.

“The Onitsha port that is fully equipped and was commissioned in January 2013 has now received Ministerial approval for the advert for Expression of Interest (EoI) to be published.

“We are also scheduled to complete the construction and installation of cargo handling equipment at the Baro port, Lokoja port, Oguta port and a number of jetties and landing platforms in many communities along the waterways this year.”

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Yahaya Bello is Plunging Kogi State Into Debt – James Faleke

Member of the House of Representatives James Faleke has accused Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of plunging the state into debt.

According to Faleke, the governor borrowed over N35 billion from two banks less than two years after assuming office, saying the profligacy of the governor has plundered the state into a debt that would take between 15 to 20 years to repay.

He lamented that despite the high indebtedness and huge resources that had accrued to the state under Yayaha’s watch, “there is nothing to show for it”.

A statement signed by him reads: “My heart bleeds for Kogi. I am constrained to step out once more to raise an alarm over the unmitigated profligacy of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, leading the state currently reeling under the weight of some burdensome local bank loans with a repayment plan of more than 15 years.

“Rather than find ingenuous ways of liquidating the debt bequeathed to him by his predecessor, the governor is raising the state’s debt portfolio. The previous government of Idris Wada owed two or three months’ salary when he left office, and handed over a debt of about N800 million only.

“The total debt portfolio was about N45 billion, inclusive of pension arrears. With the intervention of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, Wada requested for N50 billion to enable him clear the salary arrears and another bail out of N10 billion for infrastructural development.

“This N50 billion was to be used as follows:

–           N5 billion for two months’ salary arrears of state workers.

–           N45 billion for local government workers and pensioners arrears”.

“Before the funds were released, Wada had left office. Eventually, N20 billion of the N50 billion was released to Governor Bello, while the N10 billion for infrastructure was also released fully. So, the total bailout to the state was N30 billion

“Almost simultaneously, Bello’s government got monthly allocations for the state and local government areas with an average of over N5 billion monthly for 18 months running now.

“Surprisingly, the governor has taken loans of over N35 billion from two commercial banks since his assumption of office.

“The state has also collected over N14 billion reimbursements from the Federal Government for infrastructure and environmental works done by the state under the previous administrations.

“On the heels of these is the Paris-London Club loan refund, the first tranche of which was N12 billion and N6 billion as the second tranche released last week.”

“I have come to the conclusion that posterity would be harsh on critical stakeholders in the state, including me, if we fail to talk about the current free fall into a humongous indebtedness the state is being led to by its current manager.

“For record purposes, Yahaya Bello to my mind is a very lucky man. He came to office after we spent our resources to defeat an incumbent. Just imagine the enormous resources as enumerated above and what Kogi should have achieved with a purposeful leadership.

“But alas! What do we get? Many workers (state and local governments) are still being owed a minimum of three months, and some councils a maximum of 17 months arrears, despite the allocations running in excess of N200 billion since 2016.

“May we ask the House of Assembly, which granted approval for the loans, what the governor has done with it? And since it is an open secret that no single road project has been completed among other things, why are the lawmakers quiet? Kogites demand answers from them as they are supposed to be their representatives.”

Credit: The Nation

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Medical Health Workers Threaten Strike in Kogi Over Plans to Outsource Their Services

The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria in Kogi state on Tuesday, threatened industrial action over the decision of the state government to outsource their services.

Apart from the strike action, the union also raised the alarm over the security threat posed by the proposed privatisation of the services.

The state chairman of the union in the state, Comrade Onuh Edoka, who said this at it stakeholders meeting held at Lokoja, the state capital, however urged government to rescind its decision on the matter.

According to him, the issue became imperative as the state government had concluded plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private organisation to carry out the duties of environmental health officers.

He said rather than outsourcing the services, government should look inward and allow the environmental health officers across the 21 local government areas of the state to perform their duties.

Edoka noted that government was responsible for the shortcomings and non performance in the sector, adding that government had failed to provide working tools for the people.

He said, “Today government is jumping to leave the professional that are trained and qualified to do the job and outsource people to come and do their job for them, which is completely wrong, in the practice of the profession we have trained environmental health officers in Kogi that can do the job but in the quest of government they want to bring people in through the back door to provide these services to tax Kogi people to pay heavy, it is completely wrong.

“The people government are bringing in are not trained professional, when you bring these people in with the security situation in the country today, introducing people that are not on payroll of government to others compounds, employing people that are alien to do house-to-house inspection, premises inspection is wrong”.

He added that premises inspection is the function of the local government and not the state government, saying workers might be forced to seek legal action in the matter.

Credit: Tribune

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