…..Okowa’s Crony, Nkechika Behind Illegal Deductions
Delta state civil servants, have cried out, accusing governor Ifeanyi Okowa of what they termed illegal salary deductions running into several billions of naira without any form of pre-notice, saying they were not informed before their August salaries were illegally cut by the governor.
Some of the workers who spoke to HardReporters under the condition of anonymity, described the action of the governor as inhuman and continuous moves to inflicting hardship on them.
A Permanent Secretary, (PS), who said over N10, 000 was deducted from his August salary without his knowledge, said that after the illegal deductions have been made, that they were been told it was for contributory health scheme.
“No worker was told about the deductions, and as far as we are concerned, its illegality carried out by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa one of his cronies, one Ben Nkechika as front in the name of contributory health scheme. We are still asking if actually, Okowa’s coming is to kill the workers or to save them. Nothing he does seems to gain popularity.” the PS lamented.
A civil servant at the ministry of education, pleaded that her name should not be mentioned, argued that governor Okowa has no right to arbitrarily deduct monies from workers salaries without consultations, adding that “the consensus is that Okowa led government is anti workers. If we were to be in a good country where the rules counts, Okowa couldn’t have done this without notification.”
Mr. Ben Kechika, who is said to be governor Okowa’s crony and Director General/CEO Delta State Contributory Health Commission, is been fingered in the illegal deductions done without pre-notice.
Following the alarm raised by the workers over the illegal salary deductions, Mr. Ben Kechika, Director General/CEO Delta State Contributory Health Commission, hurriedly issued a press statement to calm down the workers nerves.
According to the release signed by Mr. Kechika, “The Management of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission wish to clarify on issue that has followed the commencement of the deduction of premium contribution for the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme from the Public Service workers.
“The Scheme commenced in Delta State on the 1st of January 2017 with Pregnant women and Children under 5 years of age who are the most vulnerable members of the society. As at 31st of July 2017, over 71,000 pregnant women and children under 5 years have been enrolled and are receiving service under the Scheme in Delta State Government healthcare facilities.
“Based on the program established for the Scheme, commencement of premium contribution and inclusion of the Formal Sector group starts in August 2017 to enable conclusion of the enrollment process that will enable the enrollees start receiving healthcare service in accredited Public and Private Health facilities in Delta State.
“Upload of Bio Data of Public servants has commenced and validation of this data and registration of their entitled family members will follow immediately. Inclusion of the Informal Sector group will commence in September 2017 with their registration and payment of premium.
“Enrollees that complete their registration process will be allocated to the accredited Public or Private Hospital chosen by them from the list of accredited healthcare facilities. This will enable them to start receiving healthcare service in these healthcare facilities.
“The Premium amount for the Scheme has been actually considered to ensure that the benefit package adopted for the Scheme will be affordable and accommodate a good part of the State disease burden.
Flyers for the Scheme will be available at the various Public office building with contact phone numbers for clarification request.
“There will also be a 24hrs call center for quality of service management. The Commission will continue to enhance its Advocacy and Sensitization programs across the State and plead that all residents of Delta State should embrace the Scheme for its significant benefits. We the Commission will do our best to ensure the smooth operation of the Scheme and for the benefit of all.” the statement stated.
But reacting to Kechika’s statement, a civil servant who simply gave his name as Paul expressed displeasure over the deductions saying the percentage used is not known, “the government just deducted money from people’s salaries, the bio data and the vital data to be uploaded and or computed has not been done, but the deductions have been made already without notification.
“The NLC leadership has failed, big shame. cooperative deductions, governor Okowa will not release them as at when due, he will spend the money without paying interest on them, the next thing you see on the pages of newspapers from some weak aides is the 10billion naira Paris Club refund, over N1.6billion was used for the payment of cooperative deductions; how and why? who spent the money that was deducted from the salaries as cooperative deductions (paid into the state cooperative account)?” Paul queried.
Paul called for the explanation on the percentage used for “the rubbish health contributory scheme as if we will see the money and or it will work.”
