The
Ondo state government has called on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour
Congress to mobilise workers in the country to join in the growing clamour for
the restructuring of the country to put an end to the trend of inability
of government in the states to pay workers salaries.
The
appeal is contained in the government's response to a statement from the
national leadership of the NLC to the state government urging it to
pay its striking workers.
Appreciating
the NLC's concern over the issue, the government through its Commissioner
for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade commended the workers body for
acknowledging the impact of the economic downturn in the country
which has made it difficult for over 30 states in the country to
pay workers salaries.
Stating
government's resolve to ensure quick resolution of the impasse occasioned by
the non payment of salaries, government however appealed to Labour to
"as a matter of priority, join the growing clamour for restructuring
of the country based on the reality on ground" adding that the only
way out of the present debacle is for everyone and stakeholders alike to ensure
the restructuring of the country to suit the present realities.
"A
situation where the Federal government which has no land and population
is collecting 53 percent of the total revenue accruable to the country, is
evil, unfair, unjust ,unacceptable and crime against humanity.
"The
other federating units, 36 states and Abuja including the existing 774 local
governments are left with just 45 percent of the revenue which shows no
equity and fairness"
The
government said NLC should acknowledge the precarious situation most states
have found themselves in the last one year, adding that revenue allocation to
Ondo state has reduced considerably so much that in the last 5 months, its
gross allocation was between N1 and N2 billion, while often time than
not, the net was less than a billion naira.
It
mentioned that in May for instance, N1.3b was received and the net
was a meagre N720m.
"To
make the matter worse, we have a wage bill of N3.9b for the state workers and N
2.6b for local government and this did not include funds for the day to
day running of Ministries and Parastatals and Capital projects" it
also informed, thus urging the NLC to appreciate that government is not
deliberately denying workers their dues.
Registering
that the Governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has ruled out workers
retrenchment as an alternative to the challenge on hand as some have
suggested, government said it would however want to put it on record that
the wage bill of political office holders in the state is about N80m which has
no impact on the inability to pay government workers as implied by the NLC.
Maintaining
its caring heart status, government said its rich welfare
profile is not in doubt adding, that aside from paying the highest
minimum wage of N22,000 and the only state that pays leave
bonus in the country,It further mentioned that it also pay '13th month'
to workers across board at the end of every year, just as it mentioned that
teachers are paid 27.5 percent relativity allowance as well as car loans to
workers among other regular welfare packages.
Government
said it appreciate the industry and support of workers in the state adding that
it shares in their pains and promised that their welfare will continue to be
paramount to government as always.
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Politics