Save Our Souls: Ago-Ireti Members Lament 9-Month Unpaid Stipends
– No stipend received since January
– We are indebted, in pain
– Stipend amounts to N330 daily
Members of Ago-Ireti, a settlement of hope, have decried the 9-month unpaid stipends by the Ondo State government.
Speaking through the Secretary of the community, Mr. Salau Adeyemi, the 68 members said that despite the meager payment of N10,000 per month, a salary set during Dr. Olusegun Mimiko’s administration, the government has refused to pay their stipends since January.
“Since January, we have not received a penny from the government. We are in the 9th month already.”
“If we calculate it, it is N330 per day. The money isn’t even enough to buy a bowl of garri,” he decried.
He described the situation as unbearable, adding that foodstuff sellers are now unwilling to give credit to workers.
“Our people are suffering; they have collected foodstuffs on credit. Those sellers can’t give them on credit anymore. The government should please pity us,” he lamented.
Mr. Salau explained that in an attempt to resolve the unpaid salaries, the workers met with the Deputy Governor, who promised the state would hasten the payment once the governor was available. However, the promise is yet to be fulfilled.
He said, “The deputy governor was merciful; he gave us the sum of N680,000 from his pocket.”
“He told us that when the governor is around, he would hasten the payment, but it seems the governor himself doesn’t take us seriously.”
The members of the settlement, who have families to cater for, pleaded with the state government to expedite the payment of their 9-month unpaid salaries.
Reacting, Dr. Awolowo Banji Ajaka, the Commissioner for Health, acknowledged that the state government has yet to make payments.
He assured, however, that efforts are underway to settle the outstanding stipends for members of the Ago-ireti settlement.
Ajaka stated, “Yes, it’s true that payments are pending. We are processing all the arrears. There were some issues that needed addressing, but we have worked through them, and we are now awaiting the Governor’s approval. Everything will be paid. The Deputy Governor has already provided some interim support and explained the situation to them. We have also had various partners contributing to their support, but this is not an excuse.”
Regarding the potential for an upward review of the stipends in light of economic conditions, Ajaka was clear: “No, there are no plans for an increase. Many individuals are actually supposed to have returned to their homes. We have not had new cases of disability, and our focus remains on preventive and curative measures. We are not considering a review at this time. Besides their stipends, other expenses, such as their NEPA bills, are also covered. Therefore, an upward review is not on our agenda.”
Leave a Reply