Akeredolu Promise To Offset N34 billion Salary Arrears

The governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Segun Ajiboye, described the rumour as “deliberate falsehood and idle talks “, saying he has consistently vowed to do everything possible to offset the salary arrears owed workers in the state.

According to the statement, the governor has also matched words with action to make the welfare of workers in the state his priority by ensuring that the workers have been paid their salaries since he assumed office.

His words, “I want to state here that there is no truth in rumour making the rounds that the administration is asking workers in the state to forgo two months of the salary arrears owed them. The talk is nothing but a pack of lies and a mere imagination of the people behind it’s spread.

“I would love to reiterate my commitment to make the welfare of the workers the priority of this administration. They are goose that laid the Golden Egg and I appreciate their efforts and commitment to develop Ondo State and take it to the next level.”

While thanking the people of the state for their support, the governor maintained that his administration remains determined to implement its cardinal programmes as outlined in his campaign promises.

Meantime, Governor Akeredolu has said that revenue inflows accruing to the state must geometrically increase in order for the government to be able to deliver promptly on all projections set by the administration.

The governor, who spoke while receiving the report of the Committee on the Payment of Arrears of Salaries of Public Servants in Ondo State, said the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, profile of the state has to be taken to a proportion above the recurrent expenditures of the state for meaningful development to take place.

While thanking the state workforce for their resilience over unpaid seven months salaries by the immediate past government, Governor Akeredolu reassured  the workers of his administration’s commitment to prompt payment of their salaries.

In his remarks before presenting the report, the Committee Chairman, who is also the State Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, said the salary arrears owed workers by the previous administration amounted to N38.57 billion, while N41.5biliion was owed to retired personnel as gratuities.