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COVID-19: Public servants in Kaduna State decry 25% salary cut

Salary

By Moses Kolo

Kaduna, April 29, 2020 (NAN) Public servants in Kaduna State on Wdnesday decried the 25 per cut on their monthly salaries by government following the challenges posed on the state’s revenue by Coronavirus pandemic.

Some of the public servants told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the salary cut would cause major setback for them and affect the well-being of their families negatively.

They appealed to the the state government to have rethink on its decision, saying that their salaries could not “take them home.”

NAN recalls that Kaduna State Government had effected 25 per cent and 50 per cent cut on salaries of public servants and political appointees respectively.

Government said the measure was to contain COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

Mrs Elizabeth Ambi, a civil servant residing on Kigo Road, said she found out that she had nothing to fall back on when she received her April salary.

“I am servicing a loan; besides, I make a monthly contribution. So, as it is, I don’t have enough to cater for my household as a result of the deduction.

“The situation is pathetic and I urge government to, as a matter of urgency, have a change of mind and reverse the decision,” she said.

According to her, others elsewhere are given palliatives to cushion the effect of lockdown on them but the state government is compounding workers’ problems.

Mallam Habibu Ibrahim, an educationist resident at Unguwan Rimi, said the state government should leave up to its expectation of ensuring the well-being of the masses.

“Workers should not be subjected to compulsory contribution through their monthly salaries.

“The case would be understood in the case of political appointees because their remuneration is quite different from ours.

“I hope the NLC will wake up to its responsibility and engage government on the matter,” he said.

Also, Mrs Larai Stephen said the notice came suddenly and workers were not given time to adjust their budgets.

“The decision to cut workers salaries was rather irrational because some workers were not aware of such a plan by government.

“If workers were given, say, a month’s notice, they would have planned, based on what they will expect at the end of the month,” she said. (NAN)

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Edited by Chidinma Agu/Ejike Obeta

Kaduna residents express divergent views over quarantine extension

Reaction

By Moses Kolo

Kaduna, April 27, 2020 (NAN) Mix reactions have trailed the decision of the Kaduna State Government to extend the total lockdown of the state by 30 days to curtail further spread of the dreaded COVID-19.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Nasir El-rufai’i announced the extension on Sunday in a statement.

However, residents were divided over the matter, with some saying  that the 30 days extension of the lockdown was a step in the right direction while others viewed it as punitive.

Alhaji Mahmoud Saleh, an entrepreneur residing in Badarawa Kaduna told NAN that the governor’s decision was based on experts’ advice and urged the people to bear with the situation.

“You should bear in mind that there is a committee working round the clock to ensure that normalcy returned to our dear state and indeed, the country.

“We are even fortunate to have a day off to allow people restock, an opportunity you will not find in other countries,” he noted.

Mallam Jubril Nafada, a civil servant residing in Barnawa, said the development would have been embraced if, the poor and vulnerable members in the state got a fair share of the government palliative.

“No one would have raised an eyebrow if they have food to eat. Believe me, people would naturally comply if they have basic needs, but the reverse is the case,” he said.

Mr Bisallah Yayuk, a medical practitioner who resides along Bida road said the the government was well guided in its decision.

“No responsible government would want to deliberately inflict hardship on its populace.

“Until the people start seeing the gravity of the damage this virus can cause to them and their loved ones, people would not understand.

“Other better equipped countries have had worse scenarios and we do not pray for such in our country. So, people should be patient and keep praying,” he said.

Mrs Moyo Osanya, a trader and resident of Ungwan Sunday said as a widow, life had been unbearable in the past two months, explaining that, with the additional 30 days quarantine extension, it would take a miracle to survive.

“Thank God for our Church and other spirited persons who came to our aid last week. As a widow and mother of four, I don’t know what would have become of us and others in our shoes.

“A lot of people are suffering in silence hardly able to afford a meal in a day,” she said amidst tears. (NAN)

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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Maharazu Ahmed

Masks
By Moses Kolo
Kaduna, April 27, 2020 (NAN) Tailors in parts of Kaduna are making brisk business following the compulsory use of face masks in public as one of the preventive measures against spread of COVID-19, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna had on Sunday in a statement, extended the quarantine period by 30 days and also made the use of face masks in public mandatory.

A NAN correspondent who visited some tailors around Kaduna metropolis on Monday, reports that local tailors were counting their gains with massive production and sales of face masks.

Some of the tailors told NAN that production of the face masks was a blessing in disguise as it would make up for their long stay without patronage and provide a source of income.

Mr Michael Eze, a tailor residing around Television area, said he produced about 10 face masks daily and each sold for N200.

“The mask is easy to produce because it doesn’t require much material. Although, it doesn’t costs much.  The income is enough to cater for our needs.

“Today alone, I’ve sold masks worth N2,000 and that is fair enough,” he said.

Mr Yacham Peter, a tailor, resident at Unguwan Pama, said that he had been producing and selling face masks before the state government made it compulsory, saying that the pronouncement was a blessing.

“Not that one is praying for the pandemic to persist but at least, while we help the people to protect themselves from being infected, we make brisk business too.

“The locally-made face masks are cheaper and better than the conventional ones because they are washable and can be used for a long time,” he said.

Mrs Larai Musa, who also produces face masks at Narayi, said that people preferred the locally-made face masks because it afforded them material of their choice while others preferred inscription on it.

“The ones that carry inscription of your choice are sold for N300, while the plain ones are sold N200.

“I am able to make not less than 10 to 15 face masks daily,” she said.

Mr Umaru Lemu, a resident of Shagari Estate, said he patronised a local tailor and bought face masks for members of his family.

“The preference for the locally-made face masks are obvious as they are washable, besides the fashion sense attached to them,” he said. (NAN)
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Edited by Chidinma Agu/Adeleye Ajayi

Service
By Moses Kolo
Kaduna, April 21, 2020 (NAN) Some automobile mechanics in parts of Kaduna have resorted to rendering home-services to their customers to make ends meet while the lockdown persists.

The mechanics who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kaduna, said the option of taking their services to customers’ houses became necessary considering the glaring harsh economic reality and the need to please their customers.

Mr Shola Adeolu, an automobile mechanic whose workshop is located at Chalawa area, told NAN that due to the restriction of movement, he now operate a mobile workshop by visiting his customers’ residences with his working tools to render services.

“There’s hardly a day I don’t receive a call from at least two to three customers requesting that I come over to have their vehicles fixed in their houses.

“Although, the option has its limitations because not every working tool can be carried around but one must survive anyway,” he said.

Mallam Sadiku Mohammed, a mechanic resident at Nasarawa area on his part said the daily income he depended on to meet family needs were no longer forthcoming as such, the need to explore the home-service option.

“To say the truth, mechanics and other artisans do not find it funny since the commencement of the lockdown.

“Before now, I usually make at least N5,000 to N10,000 daily but the situation is now a complete opposite as I barely make N1,000 if I’m fortunate to have a customer call me to his house,” he lamented.

Also, Mr David Gambo who operates an automobile shop at Sabo told NAN that only minor repairs could be done at home-service, explaining that customers with major repairs had no option but sneak their vehicles to the workshop.

“Although mechanic workshops remained closed, other still violates the lockdown order to carry out major repairs that can’t be done at home.

“Infact, I have had to repair a police van few days ago following plead for me to open the workshop,” he revealed.

Mrs Jumoke Oyeniyi, a health worker resident in Barnawa told NAN that automobile mechanics should also, be considered as part of those rendering ‘essential duty’ because of the vital role they played.

“I had to request the service of mechanic to come to my house and have my car fixed before I could go to work the other day.

“You could see the joy on his face when I gave him the stipend when the job was finished,” she said. (NAN)
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu and Isaac Ukpoju