The Osun State Government has promised to pay its workers their salaries, describing speculations that workers in the state would not get their March pay as uncalled for.
There were insinuations that civil servants in the debt-ridden state would not have their March salaries because as a result of the N6 million federal allocation accrued to the state for the month of February.
Osun State got N6 million because of deductions made from its debts.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor and signed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, the government said it is executing with the support of all stakeholders, including the workers, to map out strategy for ensuring workers receive their salaries.
“As at today, the process for the payment of January salaries is at the final stages. Osun workers will receive their salaries from this week in preparation for Easter holidays,” Okanlawon said.
He pointed out that Osun State, led by Rauf Aregbesola, “remains a major projects site employing thousands of our people in simultaneous the construction of major roads, models Schools and other infrastructure mostly to be completed before the end of the year.”
He said FAAC is not only source of revenue to the state, and that the “commendable support of workers has allowed us to stretch our reserves and other sources to pay workers on mutually agreed terms as well as fulfil our development promises to the majority of the people.”
“Osun is, therefore, fulfilling its obligations to the people and running the government. The State’s call all that care to come to visit Osun to see for themselves the moods in the state,” Okanlawon added.
He said “despite these seemingly insurmountable challenges, we have continued to deliver to the people.”
“Osun has delivered 300km of road across 31 Local Government. Also has delivered 200km of Rural Roads in partnership with World Bank. Five major roads currently being simultaneously constructed and would be completed soonest. Seven 3000-capacity new model high schools are being completed for commissioning by end of the year.
“The state government will continue to find innovative ways to cope with the times. IGR is on the rise and we have set a target of 5bn per month before the end of the year.
“Osun is working on reducing the cost of governance. Continuous Biometric Check on Payroll are currently ongoing,” he said.
The state government assured that it is “ever indebted to our workers for their unflinching loyalty and understanding in these times.”
