Lawmaker representing Akure North/South Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ajisafe Olowookere has supported governors who divert part of their bailout funds for other projects.
Bailout funds are usually given to states, especially those who owed several months of salaries and pensions to the workers and retirees.
In an interview on Wednesday, the lawmaker said some of the states have bad infrastructure.
“This may not go down well with the civil servants, but the concern of some of these governors is that certain money was given as bailout, but some of them are conscious of the percentage of civil servants in their states.
“If every money received is spent on paying salary and issues as important as roads and other infrastructure are not attended to, then what will be their legacy?
“I think that is why some of them are diverting the bailout funds to attend to infrastructure which the generality of citizens of the states will enjoy,’’ he said.
The lawmaker said deplorable road condition aided kidnapping in the country.
“For over six months, I have not been bold to go home with my vehicle. It makes it easier for them to operate because of the bad road.
“There are certain portions that you have to slow down to cross, and that is where the kidnappers are hiding and that affects civil servants, non-civil servants, farmers, artisans and others.
“Much as I sympathise with the workers that are not being paid, the fault is not that of some governors but as a result of the dwindling oil fortunes both in price and quantity,’’ Ajisafe said.
May I ask if Hon.Ajisafe Olowokere was not receiving his own monthly salary and allowances because the road to his constituency is bad the reason advanced for governors to divert bailout fund released by the Fed. Govt. to pay workers salary arrears? If he receives salary and allowances but workers are owing arrears of their salaries, he should know that he has contravened Gods commandment.