Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday, said his administration had fulfilled its promise not to owe workers’ salaries in the state.
Akeredolu, who disclosed that the government had already paid up till November 2022, said that the December salary was delayed on the advice of labour leaders to allow workers meet new year financial obligations.
The governor assured that the December salary would be paid soon, while promising that the one month remaining from the inherited seven months salary arrears will also be paid before the end of his tenure.
“As you are aware, you received three alerts in December. We paid October and November 2022. You also received leave bonus. We would have paid December but the labour leaders advised that we delay it till January to allow you meet financial obligations. Students will resume soon. We will pay school fees.
“Also, we inherited seven months salary arrears, we paid six. Before I leave office, I will pay the remaining one,” he said.
Akeredolu, who spoke at the yearly prayer meeting with public servants on the first working day of the year, held at the Governor’s Park, Governor’s Office, Akure, the state capital, assured that his administration would continue to give priority consideration to the well-being of the public service amid competing demands from other segments of the state.
He noted that in spite of the state’s lean resources, his administration would continue to do more and not shy away from its responsibility.
The governor said he was glad to hear good testimonies on payment of salaries, prompt promotion, regular elevation, payment of inherited salary arrears and leave bonus.
He also described as heartwarming, the workers’ testimonies on the new duty tour allowance, training and retraining, provision of working tools and enabling environment for the service to thrive, among others.
On the 2023 general elections, the governor urged civil servants and the people at large to play by the rules while exercising their franchise at the polls.
In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, disclosed that 8,415 public servants across the state were promoted with financial benefits in 2022.
Ogundele, who thanked the governor for his continued support in all areas pertaining to issues affecting public servants in the state, the Head of Service described the governor as worker-friendly.
In his remarks, the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Oluwole Sunday-Adeleye, thanked the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare.
He said that the governor had paid 76 months salaries within the 70 months and one week of his administration.
