Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has approved the payment of N20.2bn, to offset outstanding deductions and April salary of workers in the State.
Speaking at this year’s May Day Rally, held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Governor said this was in fulfillment of his promise not to owe any worker by the end of his tenure.
According to him, workers will start receiving Bank alerts from May 2, as he has approved the release of N10.8bn to clear all salary deductions, adding that, “in addition to the release of the salary deductions, April salaries will be paid in full with a sum of N9.4bn, to make a total of N20.2bn.
Amosun also announced that outstanding leave bonuses would be paid as from next week, while gratuities of retirees up till May 2017, would be cleared by his government.
On the Contributory Pension Scheme, the Governor described it as a beautiful programme that was wrongly implemented, saying, “there ought to be a sinking fund for it to be successful, which was never on ground”.
He announced the recruitment of 1000 staff, who sat for the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) examination, as well as the promotion of 5,000 workers, urging the leadership of labour unions and workers in the State to keep the flag flying.
While reiterating his administration’s commitment not to abandon any project, he said, “though we are not where we should be, but clearly, we are not where we used to be. I am happy that we are leaving Ogun State better than we met it”.
Reacting to the Governor’s gesture, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Emmanuel Bankole, said payment of outstanding deductions and other workers entitlement was a welcome development, as it would help in further boosting the State’s economy.
On his part, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bunmi Fajobi, said, “we are very happy receiving the news, the Governor did not disappoint us”.
Fielding questions from newsmen on the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage by the State government, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Osinowo, said, “the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission will come out with a circular to all States on staff emoluments and immediately we have it from them, we would work on it.”
