The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said his administration has fulfilled its promise not to owe workers’ salaries in the state by paying the workers as and when due.
He stated that the state workers had received their salaries up till November 2022 but the delay in December salary was due to the advice of the labour leaders in the state, to allow workers to meet new year financial obligations.
Akeredolu said this at the annual prayer meeting with the state public servants on Tuesday, the first working day of the year, held at the Governor’s office, Akure, the state capital.
The governor, however, assured the workers that their December salary will be paid soon while promising that the one month remaining from the inherited seven months’ salary arrears would also be paid before the end of his tenure.
Addressing the workers, the governor said, “As you are aware, you received three alerts in December. We paid October and November 2022. You also received a 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 months. Before I leave the office, I will pay the remaining one.”
On the forthcoming general elections, the governor admonished the civil servants to play the game according to the rules while exercising their franchise at the poll and not to be partisan.
“Let me reiterate for the umpteenth time that public servants are not expected to be involved in partisan politics. Absolute loyalty and commitment should be the watchword of the service.
“Again, political discourse should be civil with decorum and in statutory manner. You will note that our administration has insulated the bureaucracy from partisan politics,” he urged.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Service, Kayode Ogundele, who disclosed that 8,415 public servants across the state were promoted with financial benefits in 2022, thanked the governor for his continued support in all areas pertaining to issues affecting public servants in the state.
The HoS stated, “Thanks to Arakunrin’s ( Akeredolu’s) commitment to workers’ welfare in ensuring the payment of all outstanding salaries. The present administration, in a bid to reduce the shortfall in the workforce, has continued to recruit fresh hands in the critical areas of need.
“For instance, 52 temporary staff of the Ondo State Emergency Medical Services Agency were recently given permanent appointments. Moreover, Ondo State workers and retirees have had a new lease of life under this administration.”