BY MAYOWA SAMUEL
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has explained why he did not pay workers’ December 2022 salary.
He said he paid salary up to November, but that the December salary was delayed following an advice from Labour leaders that workers needed money to meet the New Year’s financial obligations.
Akeredolu, who stated this on Tuesday at the annual prayer meeting with workers on the first working day of the year, held at the Governor’s office, Akure, said his administration had fulfilled its promise not to owe workers’ salaries.
He said he was glad to hear good testimonies on payment of salaries, prompt promotion, regular elevation, payment of inherited salary arrears and leave bonuses.
The governor said: “As you are aware, you received three alerts in December. We paid October and November salaries. You also received leave bonus. We would have paid December salary, 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.”
On the 2023 general elections, Akeredolu urged civil servants and the people at large to play by the rules while exercising their franchise at the polls.
He cautioned the workers against getting involved in partisan politics ahead of next month’s general election.
The governor told them that his administration insulated the bureaucracy from partisan politics.
Head of Service, Kayode Ogundele said 8,415 public servants across the state were promoted with financial benefits in 2022.
“For instance, 52 temporary workers of the Ondo State Emergency Medical Services Agency (ODEMSA) were recently given permanent appointments. Workers and retirees have had a new lease of life under this administration.
“For instance, a number of workers of the Owena Press Ltd, who retired years ago, received their gratuities last month. The Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) was inaugurated to give public servants and their families access to qualitative health care in preferred health facility of choice at low or no cost,” he said.
The Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria, Ondo Province and Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Bishop Oluwole Borokini, advised the workers to be loyal, committed to duties and shun corrupt practices.
