Ondo govt denies payment of 20% deduction from workers salary

Following the agreement between the leadership of the Organised labour in Ondo State, the state government on Tuesday, denied promising to pay the 20 percent deducted from the September 2016 salary of the state workers within a time limit.

The government however maintained that the salary would be paid and will continue to make the payment of workers’ salaries it’s priority.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, who described the report credited to the state deputy governor as falsehood and gross misrepresentation of facts.

According to Abegunde, “government did not at any time, accede to any time limit within which salary arrears will be paid but made its stand to put the welfare of the generality of the people, including workers, as its priority known.

“In response to the request of the labour that the outstanding 20 percent be paid before the end of August, 2017 it was made abundantly clear that the  government would pay the 20 percent when it had the resources as it would not borrow money to pay salaries.”

The SSG also denied that the 20 percent deductions from September 2016 salary of the workers was done in error but said due consideration was given to equity and fairness

The statement read: “Ondo State government did not pay 80 percent of the September, 2016 salary arrears in error as due consideration was given to equity and fairness.

“The Government will not shirk its responsibility to the good people of Ondo State, both in the public and private sectors as this Administration is irrevocably committed to its mandate.

“Government registers its deep disappointment concerning this gross misrepresentation of facts and wishes to set the records straight.”

Abegunde also said the deputy governor, did not at any time promised the workers during the meeting that the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Doyin Odebowale, would be made to “pass through a series of lessons to remold him to become a cultured entity in the government of Akeredolu” describing the report as absurd. 

He however said the present administration in the state would continue to make the payment of salaries of workers its priority and appealed to the workers to always avoid statement that can heat the polity.