News
Taraba Street Sweepers Decries Meager Salary and Harassment by The Sanitation Coordinator
Street sweepers in Jalingo city, Taraba state capital have decried meagre salary and harassment by the coordinator of Taraba State sanitation agency.
The street sweepers told journalists that the governor Agbu Kefas has promised to pay them N20,000 negotiated as their monthly salaries instead they received only N13,000 as their first salary instead of 20,000.
Our Correspondent reports that, Mr. Illya Kefas, the coordinator, Taraba State Sanitation Agency had earlier told journalists that 600 youth and women, know as (Jalingo street sweepers), were engaged by the state governor under the supervision of the state sanitation agency to clean the Jalingo the state capital on a monthly allowance of N20,000.
“We were asked to go to the Taraba state sanitation agency’s office last week concerning our first salaries. We were both happy but to our greatest surprised, we were paid N13,000 cash, as against the negotiated N20,000.
“We were told by the agency that our monthly allowances would be N20,000 each. Aside that, we were supposed to be paid in the first week of July but it was until the third week of July that quarter salary was given to us without any explanation about the situation.
“We were threatened to either quite the job if we are not satisfy with the N13,000. Some of us have already borrowed to meet our family needs considering the expectation that the agreed N20,000 was going to be intact” The sweepers decried
Meanwhile, Mr Iliya Kefas, the coordinator, Taraba State Sanitation Agency, denied that there was no standing agreement between government and the street sweepers concerning their monthly take-home.
“There was no agreement between government or the agency with the cleaners concerning their monthly take-home” He argued.
One of the streets sweepers who also narrated his ordeal, said the coordinator Iliya Kefas, is fun of abusing the streets sweepers and threatening to remove their names. “ I went to collect my salary last week, after queuing for some minutes, I noticed that someone has signed on behalf of me and has collected the money. I told the coordinator, instead he suddenly gets furious and abuse me. He threatened me that he will remove my name if I ever bring such complain to him again” he said.
However, Chief GT Kataps, Taraba state Secretary to the government of the state (SGS), said the amount approved for the sweepers monthly allowance was N15,000 and not N20,000 as being speculated.
A coalition of civil society organisations in Zamfara Central has publicly called on philanthropist Yazeed Danfulani to contest for the senatorial seat in the National Assembly in the 2027 elections, citing his extensive humanitarian contributions and commitment to community development.
In a statement released on Sunday, the group’s spokesperson, Nuraddeen Garba Gusau, emphasised that the growing support for Danfulani transcends mere political sentiment.
“This is about Yazeed Danfulani’s proven dedication to the welfare of our people, demonstrated consistently without ever holding elected office,” Gusau said.
Danfulani, a prominent figure in Zamfara Central, has earned widespread admiration for his charitable initiatives.
He has funded the education of numerous children, offering opportunities to those who previously faced bleak prospects.
” His generosity also extends to providing financial and material aid to the less fortunate, helping families meet their basic needs.”
He said “Beyond individual support, Danfulani has bolstered small-scale entrepreneurs by distributing cars, tricycles, and financial capital, enabling many to achieve self-reliance.
“His efforts have significantly improved livelihoods across the region. Additionally, as a key supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Danfulani has played a vital role in strengthening the party’s unity and presence in the state.
The coalition believes Danfulani’s track record as a private citizen is a testament to his potential as a legislator.
“His selfless contributions are merely a glimpse of what he could achieve with the authority to legislate and attract development at the national level,” Gusau added.
News
Kaduna: Group calls EFCC, National Assembly, Kaduna state government’s intervention on alleged diversion of public funds
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Executive Director of a non-governmental organization, Eagle Brain Youth Transformative and Development Initiative (EBYTDI), Mr Daniel Ejembi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Assembly and Kaduna state government to intervene on alleged hijacking of a federal constituency project intended for public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement issued by the Executive Director described the alleged diversion of the public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a.
According to him, “This diversion of public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a. We demand swift intervention by the Kaduna State Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Assembly to recover misused funds and prioritize education for all.”
The statement stated that investigation reveals that a federal project sponsored by Yakubu Umar Barde, former member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, was alleged to have been unlawfully diverted to Fatima Academy, a private school owned by Abdulhadi Abubakar.
Ejembi explained, “The project, initially earmarked for constructing a public school, was instead executed at Fatima Academy, which lacks registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).”
He added that the contractor, Amrah Farms Nigeria Limited (RC-1523474), with directors including Abdulyekin Bello Tahir and Bello Halimat Sadiq, executed the project in violation of its original mandate, lamenting that public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a faced severe deficits, including dilapidated classrooms, lack of sanitation facilities, and inadequate learning resources, exacerbating educational inequalities.
The Executive Director called for immediate probe into the alleged diversion of funds by relevant anti-corruption agencies and also called for urgent construction and renovation of classrooms, toilets, and perimeter fencing in the public schools.
He also appealed for the provision of desks, learning materials, and safe water systems for students and advised for legal action against unregistered institutions like Fatima Academy and accountability for involved parties.
Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Easter Monday morning.
Late Pope had been in and out of hospital in the last few weeks. He made a surprise appearance at the Easter Sunday service at Vatican on Sunday.
Details Later…