Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, on Tuesday, lashed out at civil servants in the State, describing an average worker in the State Civil Service as ‘selfish’ and ‘ungrateful’, just as he promised to offset all outstanding arrears of workers salaries in the State before the end of the week.
Akeredolu who stated this during the presentation of cheques for the payment of compensation to owners of properties affected by the construction of roads in the State said despite the present administration efforts in prioritising workers welfare in the State, they have remained ungrateful to the state government.
According to Akeredolu, his administration has been able to put in place some life-changing projects in the State despite the lean resources while the welfare of public servants has also been given its pride of place.
Akeredolu said: “Since I came into office I have paid your salary arrears, yet our people are both ungrateful and selfish. Since we came into office we are not owing even a month salary. Not one single month.
“Somebody was in office and did not pay your salaries and leave allowances, but we have paid and even promoted you and people still think we have done nothing.
“I can tell you that I agree that we have done nothing, I know it that is how life is and people are both selfish and ungrateful.
“In terms of the welfare of workers in this State, we have done our best. No State has done better than us because we believe a worker deserves his pay.
“We pay people who are less than 5 per cent of the population of the State and they take 90 per cent of the income. The revenue that comes to this state 90 percent of it goes to less than 5 percent.
“We are up-to-date in the payment of salaries and pensions, all officers who are due for promotion have been duly served, the 2017 leave bonuses have been paid while some workers have equally enjoyed vehicles loans.
“The Paris Club refund due to Ondo State has been received and consultation with the leaders of the workers is ongoing on how best to balance the interest of all stakeholders in the disbursement of the fund and before the end of this week, we will clear all arrears and outstanding.
However, the governor disclosed that about N402.5million would be paid to beneficiaries affected by the construction of roads across the state saying this was to demonstrate the state government sincere commitment to the development of the State and her people.
“Today marks the first phase of payment on the schedule. The quantum of money we are paying today is a demonstration of our good intention to the people whose properties were affected one way or the other.
“The payment is to make it easy for them to relocate, acquire new properties and continue life without hardship or encumbrances.”
He stated that about N9billion has been spent on the construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of roads statewide by his administration in the last one year as part of his government resolve to fulfil its electioneering promises to the people.
“As I speak, the State Government has intervened in the construction and rehabilitation of several roads which have had a profound impact on the lives of the people.
“The failed sections on the Akure –Owo- Akungba Road are being rehabilitated despite the fact that the road should be the responsibility of the Federal Government.
“The rehabilitation will cover 10 critical segments of the road and the quality of the job is such that the perennial failures often witnessed on the road would be consigned into history by the time the rehabilitation is over.”
The State Commissioner for Works and infrastructure in the state, Hon Taofiq Abdulsalaam assured the people of the state of government commitment towards the provision of infrastructure facilities to the people of the State.
He said the ministry is unwavering in its mission to design, construct and maintain roads that are safe, durable, economic and efficient across the three senatorial districts of the State.
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