Workers Day: We Have Kept Our Promise Not To Owe Salaries, Pension-Akeredolu

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

The Ondo State Government has said it would continue to kept its promise not to owe salaries and pensions despite the glaring economic crunch in the country.

Akeredolu

Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu stated this on Tuesday in Akure at the 2018 Workers Day celebration.

Akeredolu who appreciated the workers in the state for the support so far, reiterated his administration’s dedication to make life better for the generality of the state populace.

The governor also assured the state workers of the payment of the 2017 leave bonus when the state is financially buoyant, noting that he has kept his word as part of his commitment to the welfare of the workforce in the state.

He said he has regularly paid salaries and wages for 15 months now despite the financial challenge in the country.

Akeredolu also hinted that he has successfully offset four of the seven months arrears inherited from the immediate past administration and promised to pay the remaining as soon as realisable.

It would be recalled that in December, 2017, Akeredolu approved over 30 billion naira for payment of salaries, pension, gratuity and arrears.

He said his government has made promotion of civil servants a priority including the recent injection of over 50 administrative staff into the civil service.

The Governor disclosed that his administration is paying the sum of two hundred million naira every month to offset outstanding gratuities owed retired workers.

He emphasised that workers in the state deserve special attention despite the harsh economic situation in the country.

He therefore enjoined them to continue to rededicate themselves to the service of the people and promised to always partner the labour movement.

Earlier in her address, the Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress in Ondo state, Comrade Bosede Daramola lauded the Akeredolu adminstration for commitment to the welfare of workers.

Daramola reiterated the resolve of the NLC to the implementation of the new minimum wage to cushion the untold hardship faced by workers.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress TUC in Ondo state, Soladoye Ekundayo saluted the government for commitment to the welfare of the workforce, especially the release of the 2017 promotion letters to deserving workers.