Why we’ll pay new minimum wage – Akeredolu

By Adekola Afolabi
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The governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has again said his government would continue to keep its promises to the workers and people of the state by making their welfare directive principles of state policy.

This is coming as the governor announced to the admiration of workers that his administration would pay the N30, 000 new minimum wage as approved by law.

Akeredolu who made the announcement at the 2019 May Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Akure, the state capital, however, advised civil servants in the state to reciprocate all the good gestures of his administration and the sacrifices made by those who are not employed by the State, to rededicate themselves and embrace the best practices for progress.

The governor, who emphasised that his administration has paid salaries of workers till date, equally expressed his readiness to offset the outstanding one month salary from the 7 months arrears inherited from the previous government and other entitlements and legitimate earnings as soon as possible.

While also noting that he has taken enough briefs from relevant ministries and agencies about the acute shortage of teachers, Akeredolu announced that the process for the  recruitment of teachers into public primary schools in the state would start next week, saying that over 700 public primary and secondary schools across the state have since been renovated by his government.

The theme of the 2019 May Day celebration is, “Another 100 years of struggle for jobs, dignity and social justice in Nigeria”, and it had in attendance dignitaries including the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi; the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun; Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde; Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, other  members of the state executive council; the state Head of Service, Toyin Akinkuotu; both present and past labour leaders, representatives of president of the NLC and that of Minister of Labour and Productivity, among several others,

Akeredolu saluted the doggedness of the labour leaders “in the face of daunting exactions”, just as he commended workers in the state for the cooperation given to his  administration since inception, adding that his administration would not renege on its promises to workers and people of the state to make life more meaningful to them.

“Our administration has embarked on massive road construction projects in the 3 Senatorial Districts in the State. We proceed on the basis of Equity, believing that no part of our dear state should be neglected. We have renovated over 700 state-owned primary and secondary schools. The Government will support any programme which enhances capacity building for teachers in public schools in the State.

“The Deep Sea Port project at Araromi will become a reality soon. Our State will be the desired destination for serious investors and tourists.

Speaking at the event, the new NLC Chairman in the state, Comrade Sunday Adeleye, specifically lauded Governor Akeredolu for the regular payment of workers’ salaries and conduct of  promotion exercise till date, as well as massive road construction and renovation of hundreds of dilapidated structures in public primary and secondary schools, promising that workers would reciprocate the good gestures of the government through their loyalty and commitment to quality service delivery.

Also, TUC Chairperson, Comrade (Mrs) Helen Odofin, congratulated Akeredolu for being among the first set of governors who promised to comply with the implementation of the new minimum wage.