Akeredolu Berates Workers Over Ultimatum

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has berated the organised labour in the state over its Nov.14 ultimatum which tasks the administration with payment of salary arrears before the set date or a strike action would be staged.

Akeredolu made a statement addressing the ultimatum on Wednesday during the presentation of cheques for the payment of compensation to owners of properties affected by the construction of roads in the state.

The Governor described civil servants in the state as ungrateful and insensitive to the financial state of the state in recent times.

According to him, workers have not given credit to the present administration’s efforts in prioritising workers’ welfare and putting in place life changing projects despite its lean resources.

“Since I came into office, I have paid salary arrears, yet our people are both ungrateful and selfish.

“The past administration did not pay salaries and leave allowances, but we have paid and promoted workers and they still think we have done nothing.

“ln terms of welfare of workers in this state, we have done our best. No state has done better than us because we believe a worker deserves his pay.

“We are up-to-date in the payment of salaries and pensions, all officers who are due for promotion have been duly served, the 2017 leave bonuses have been paid while some workers have equally enjoyed vehicles loans,” he said.

According to Akeredolu, plans are in the works to pay up all outstanding salaries of workers in the state. He assured them payments would be made before the end of the week.

“The Paris Club refund due to Ondo State has been received and consultation with the leaders of the workers is ongoing on how best to balance the interest of all stakeholders in the disbursement of the fund and before the end of this week we will clear all arrears and outstanding,” he said.

Workers in Ondo state under the aegis of Organised Labour unions had earlier charged the Governor to clear the 6 months salary arrears owed them before November 14 or risk a strike action.

According to them, Akeredolu was not being sincere with the Paris Club Fund due to the state. Thus they urged him to expend the Paris Club refund for the agreed purpose of clearing the backlog of workers’ salary.

FROM  politicalstewng.com