BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has dismissed the speculation that he would commence the payment of half salary to workers if voted in for second term.
Recall that Oyetola’s predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola, had paid workers half salary as a result of the dwindling federal allocations to states.
Oyetola, as Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff, was alleged to have championed the negotiations for modulated salary payment with workers during his predecessor’s administration.
Addressing the workers in the state on Thursday, during a meeting with the newly elected executives of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Council Managers and Heads of Departments of Local Government, Local Council Development Areas and Area Offices, at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Local Government Civil Service Commission, Osun State Secretariat, Abere, Oyetola promised not to renege in paying full salary.
He said he would continue to govern the state with the fear of God and that contrary to insinuations, the gains would not be reversed.
He said the welfare of workers and other residents of the state were topmost priority to his administration, adding, “When we say we want to do something, we do it by the inspiration of God. During the electioneering when I promised to be paying full salaries, nobody believed it and today, it’s a reality because God has helped us to be able to pay full salaries.
“So, do not believe the rumour that I am paying full salary because of second term. I have a covenant with God and I will not renege on paying full salary in my second term by the grace of God.
The workers declared their support for the governor and endorsed him for second term.
The state President of NULGE, Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, described Oyetola’s intervention in the Union’s crisis as both timely and helpful.
