Special Adviser Bola Taiwo attributes peace to regular salaries, dialogue, workers’ welfare
…says Ondo governor’s accessibility strengthening labour-govt relations
By Fisayo Akinduro & Precious Oluwole
Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Comrade Bola Taiwo, has attributed labour-friendly policies and open-door leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to the chummy relationship between the state government and its workforce.
Taiwo said the administration had maintained industrial harmony by honouring commitments to workers, keeping communication channels open and responding promptly to labour concerns.
Speaking in an interview with WEEKEND HOPE, Taiwo said the governor had delivered on key promises made to workers.
He said these included regular salary payments, prompt settlement of pensions and gratuities, recruitment into the public service and continuous engagement with the organised labour.
He also said the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare had reinforced confidence in government and sustained a peaceful industrial climate.
“During the campaign, the governor promised to pay workers’ salaries on or before the end of every month, employ more workers and ensure retirees received their pensions and gratuities promptly.
“These are promises he has kept and that is why there is peace in the state,” he said.
Taiwo said his appointment from the labour movement reflected the governor’s resolve to institutionalise collaboration with organised labour and provide workers with direct access to government.
“I was appointed from among labour leaders.
“That shows the governor values organised labour and has created a platform for workers to engage directly with government,” he said.
He maintained that no ministry, department, agency or parastatal in the state was being owed salaries, stressing that the era of percentage salary payments had ended. “Today, the government owes no worker salary. The governor has performed creditably in salary, pension and gratuity payments,” he stated. Recalling the recent industrial dispute at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, Taiwo said Governor Aiyedatiwa intervened by providing support to facilitate early payment of the affected workers’ outstanding salaries.
“The governor has never defaulted in releasing subventions.
Although we are investigating what happened, he still intervened by providing support to enable the institution pay the affected workers,” he said.
Taiwo described the governor as a responsive leader who prioritises dialogue in resolving labour issues, noting that he regularly holds meetings with labour leaders and other stakeholders, sometimes until midnight, to reach amicable resolutions.
“He listens to advice, receives arguments and provides solutions.
“There are times he remains in the office until midnight, meeting with labour leaders and other stakeholders to resolve issues,” he said.
He, however, observed that while labour unions often sought immediate implementation of their demands, government decisions were subject to established administrative procedures.
Taiwo also recalled the governor’s swift response to salary-related concerns raised by medical doctors, saying Aiyedatiwa immediately convened a meeting that resolved the matter.
“The governor saw the reports on TV and immediately asked me to bring the doctors to him.
“Within minutes, they met with him and he addressed their concerns,” he said.
He added that Ondo subsequently became the first state in the country to implement the Federal Government’s salary structure for medical doctors.
According to him, industrial relations have remained largely stable, except for issues arising from the transfer of a hospital to the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
Taiwo urged workers and residents to continue supporting the administration through constructive engagement, citing ongoing infrastructure development and recruitment in the health sector as evidence of the government’s commitment to the state’s development.