By Time Nigeria
A Sociocultural organisation known as Yoruba Youth Socio-cultural Association (YYSA) has again berated Southwest governors leaving out Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos and his Ogun State counterpart, Ibikunle Amosu over the unpaid salaries, allowances and pensions of their workforce despite the release of bail-out funds, Paris Club refunds in almost three tranches as well as monthly allocation from federal government.
The group in a statement signed by its president Olalekan Hammed and made available to Time Nigeria Magazine commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led government for its enormous efforts at ensuring socioeconomic and political development, security, corrupt-free society as well as prompt payment of all outstanding salaries.
According to the statement, “President Buhari made it known in his independence day broadcast that, federal government had released the sum of one trillion naira to State governments to enable them pay all outstanding salaries, allowances and pensions in 2017.”
“To our dismay, Some Southwest States like Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Oyo still owe salaries ranging from three to eight months. The Group said.
The statement reads further, “According to the NLC Chairman Ekiti State, Mr Ade Adesanmi in chat with journalists said that, Ekiti State owing civil servants eight months salary. He stated further that, Ekiti State government owing civil servants in ministries four month salary, local government eight months and education institutions like Ekiti State College of Education and others seven month salary.
“Osun State government has been paying half salary for almost two years while Oyo State owes July, August and September salary. Governor Akoredolu of Ondo is yet to clear outstanding salaries, allowances and pensions inherited from past administration.”
It pointed out that, “Governor Ambode of Lagos State and his counterpart in Ogun, Ibikunle Amosun were the two respective governors that are paying salaries as at when due and whose their style of governance to some reasonable extent are in line with the Change Agenda of President Buhari’s administration.”
YYSA however implored the Southwest governors and other State governors across the country that are still owing salaries, allowances and pensions to fear God and honour President Muhammadu Buhari’s plea by paying all outstanding salaries.
The statement added that this is not the first time that Mr Buhari will lament delay in the payment of salaries, pensions and allowances.
