In spite of not being a traditionally rich State like Lagos and Rivers States, the State has succeeded in keeping its workforce happy by paying ₦50bn yearly through generous welfare packages in a way that has never been witnessed before.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who said that this figure has nothing to do with the Government’s agreement to increase the minimum wage to ₦80,000 soon.
According to the statement, in the month of October, 2024 alone the sum of One billion, three hundred and eleven million, seven hundred and eight thousand naira (₦1,311,780,000) was spent as wage award for workers in addition to the statutory sum of three billion, one hundred and ninety eight million, seven hundred and forty two thousand, three hundred and ninety six naira, seventy five kobo (₦3,198,742,396.75) spent on salary for civil servants in the same month.
The Commissioner emphasized that the Seyi Makinde administration prioritizes welfare of the civil servants more than those of political office holders; just as he had promised since 2019.
“In fact, the total sum of four billion, five hundred and ten million, five hundred and twenty two thousand, three hundred and ninety six naira, seventy five kobo (₦4,510,522,396.75) spent in October on salary and wage award for civil servants dramatically subsumes the total sum of One hundred and twenty four million, three hundred and sixty nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty three naira, eighty eight Kobo (₦124,369,753.88) spent on all the political/public servants in Oyo State for the same month.” Oyelade said.
The Commissioner said that incidentally the amount spent on workers’ salaries and wages is virtually the monthly Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of the State Government .
He reiterated that the State Government started paying the previous ₦30,000 minimum wage from inception almost five years ago, and has consistently paid pensions, gratuities and 13th month salary for both workers and pensioners alike.
He recalled that since November 2023, Governor Makinde has been paying ₦25,000 to its workers and ₦15,000 to its pensioners as welfare wage award while some States have stopped paying same.
“Even as we speak, the implementation of the newly approved ₦80,000 minimum wage by Governor Seyi Makinde, is being worked upon by the Technical Committee set up by the State Government which comprises Government and Labour top officials.
*E-signed:*
*Prince Dotun Oyelade*
*Honourable Commissioner for Information,*
*Oyo State*
*18th November, 2024.*
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