Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; The Major Cause For Unreasonable Costs Of Living In Kwara
By Abdulyekeen Mohd Bashir
A visit to the market in recent times reveals that the costs of food and other household items are alarmingly high. Both salary earners and self-employed citizens are lamenting that their earnings rarely meet family demands, including feeding, clothing, shelter, health, and education. Life has, therefore, become increasingly difficult for many Kwarans. Kwara State's recent ranking as one of the top 10 states with the highest cost of living in Nigeria is a stark indictment of the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-led government's failed economic policies. Rated as the second lowest on GDP ranking and being a civil servant state with minimal industry presence and investment, Kwara has become one of the most expensive states to live in. This is not due to high demand or a thriving economy, but rather a result of misguided state and local policies. The current economic policies under Governor Abdulrazaq's administration have significantly contributed to the high cost of living in Kwara State. As a civil servant state with limited industrial activity, it's crucial for the government to prioritize reducing living costs alongside efforts to increase the wages of workers. The current N10,000 monthly wage award to the workers has become so useless in the face of mounting economic challenges.
Unarguably, Kwara’s economy heavily depends on civil servants SMEs, and petty traders, with few industries and investments to boost the local economy. The government's failure to address these economic disparities has left many people struggling to make ends meet. A vast majority of people in the state depend on their modest salaries provided by the government to afford basic things of life. Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq seems indifferent to the hardship faced by the average household in Kwara due to the clear disconnect between stagnant wages and increasing living costs, which has left many households poorer. It is clear that the current N30,000 minimum wage plus the recently introduced N10,000 wage award can not sustain any family in Kwara State. With this sad reality, one would expect that the state government would be at the forefront of championing new improved minimum wage for workers but unfortunately, the government has done absolutely nothing in this regard. Despite calls by labour unions in the State, Governor Abdulrazaq has failed to set up a Minimum Wage Committee.
Undoubtedly, workers' wages should be determined by the cost of living for average people in the state. With the current realities, Kwara State workers deserve nothing below the N70,000 minimum wage which is still very small compared to the standard of living. But a significant raise should firstly be the priority of this administration if it has any concern for the welfare of the workers.
One would expect that the significant increase in revenues to the government, including FAAC allocations, IGR, and grants from local and international donors, will translate to better living conditions for the people of the state. The Reverse has, however, been the case with the government's wasteful spending on utilities, traveling, refreshments, and Government House expenses, totaling the sum of N24 billion in the first quarter of this year alone, according to a report by Punch newspaper. Various cosmetic projects executed by this government that have no significant impact on Kwarans are also contributing to the plight of our people.
We must agree that the cost of living directly affects the standard of living of residents, and Mal. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq must recognize that reducing the cost of living has the same impact as increasing income. The government must play its part by providing targeted support for the lacking population and executing responsible fiscal management. He should stop focusing on cosmetic projects that have/will not translate to alleviate the suffering of the people. He must address State widespread insecurity in food growing areas - including abduction for ransom by armed gangs, adding to our woes by keeping many farmers away from their fields.
The government must adequately address the gap between wages and living expenses. The people of Kwara State deserve better. They deserve a government that prioritizes their welfare, creates a business-friendly environment, and works to reduce the cost of living. Anything less is a betrayal of their trust.
Abdulyekeen Mohd Bashir, a Kwara born political analyst writes from Agbaji, Ilorin.
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