Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that workers and pensioners in the state would receive a monthly cash award of N25,000 and N15,000 respectively for the next six months.
He noted, however, that the workforce and the people of the state would have to work with the state government to develop the economy of the state for the long term, as according to him, once there is economic prosperity in the state, everyone would be touched.
The governor stated this when he addressed the workers at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, during a solidarity rally.
He noted that though his administration would love to work on legacy projects for which it would be remembered decades after he leaves office, it would continue to look after the welfare of its workforce.
Makinde maintained that the wage award of N25,000 and N15,000 respectively for workers and pensioners would be paid for the month of October and subsequently for another five months until an agreement is reached on a new minimum wage.
He added that the cash award would result in an additional N2.2 billion on the state’s monthly wage bill, stating that there are many gaps to be filled in the state cutting across the infrastructure, health and education sectors, hence the need for understanding from the workers.
He said, “We have been talking with your leaders but one or two things I have to point out first is we should ask ourselves how come Lagos that is only 120 kilometres away has an IGR of N60 billion monthly but we are struggling with N3.5 billion or N3.8 billion. It was N1.8 billion when we came in during our first tenure.
“So, we must decide that we want to work to lift the economy of Oyo State. If we provide economic prosperity in Oyo State, it will get to everyone. I am asking you that we have to partner to achieve that vision.”
The governor told the workers that he had held a meeting with labour leaders and had reached an agreement.
