Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ekiti State Government has disclosed that salaries and pension amounting to a total sum of N57 billion, being owed to civil servants in the state by past governments, would be paid.
Governor of the state, Mr Kayode Fayemi, who spoke during an interactive session with civil servants from ministries, parastatals and agencies on Tuesday, said the arrears cover outstanding salaries, pension, promotion allowances, leave bonuses and other payments from 2014 to when he assumed office in October 2018.
At the meeting held at the state secretariat in Ado Ekiti, the Governor said, “It is sad to reel out such a humongous figure because it can create panic for you and I. But, let me say that we can’t pay in one swell swoop, but promotion for 2019 will be given immediate attention while others will be defrayed in instalments.”
He further said he would honour his pledge to pay all outstanding workers’ benefits, but clarified that some will be given immediate attention while some will be defrayed in instalments.
“It becomes difficult to pay once because Ekiti state gets a little above N5 billion monthly with the state getting like N3 billion while the local governments receive little above N2 billion monthly,” he added.
The governor also said he was not opposed to local government autonomy, saying the local governments in the state are given access to administer their funds without inference since he assumed office.
“I am not opposed to it. Since I came back, not even one naira of the local government money is being administered by me.
“Though, we did some partnerships in 2014, but since I came back, I have allowed the councils to manage whatever comes to them,” the governor declared.
Speaking on power, Mr Fayemi said the state was considering an alternative power supply option to shore up the power being supplied to the state from the national grid, which he said was inadequate and crippling economic activities in the state.
He also said he has earmarked funds for the ministry of environment to undertake erosion and flood control projects in selected towns, in view of the recent flooding that ravaged Ado Ekiti and other towns.
Responding to complaints of manpower shortage in the state health facilities, the governor promised to liaise with the state health management board to strategize on how to fill the manpower gap.
Adding their input on behalf of the workers, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Kolapo Olatunde and Sola Adigun both pleaded with the governor to prioritise the issues that have to do with workers benefits in the state.
They then urged the governor to use his connection as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to fast track the implementation of the minimum wage.
