By Iyabo Adebisi
Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, has announced a six-month extension of the payment of N25,000 and N15,000 wage award to civil servants and pensioners in the state.
The governor, who made the announcement at the inauguration of the 12.5 kilometres Challenge-Odo Ona Elewe-Apata Road, said the extension became important to allow the Federal Government to conclude negotiations with the labour unions on a minimum wage.
Governor Makinde said his administration had continued to meet the expectations of workers and pensioners since it got on board in May 2019 and that it would continue to do so because it is a government that puts people first.
He said: “When this economic crisis started, we gave wage awards to workers. We started in October and said it would be for six months.
“I wanted that time to be able to sort out what the minimum wage should be. We have not been able to achieve that. So, I am announcing that the wage award will be extended by another six months to give us time to close out on the minimum wage discussion and negotiation.”
Speaking further on the economic situation of the country, Makinde charged Nigerians to keep their heads up amid the difficult times being faced by Nigerians and to join hands to make the country great again.
Governor Makinde noted that despite criticism against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, which recently spoke out on the situation in the country, he and his colleagues will remain undeterred and will soon come up with an action plan that will work for the country.
“Let me use this opportunity to talk about the meeting we had a few days ago. We the Governors of the PDP met in Abuja and one of the key issues we discussed was the economic hardship our people are facing.
“Our focus this time is to help our people overcome the challenges of the time. Some people can continue to play politics and tell lies about how things are, it does not matter.
“I read a piece where some people said FAAC has doubled for states and local government areas. I think it is just a lazy way to situate things. We must be talking about baking a bigger cake.
“Why are we even going to Abuja in the first instance to share FAAC? Were they doing that in the First Republic? Yes, FAAC has moved up from about N6bn per month to about N8bn monthly but the responsibilities of government have also increased.
“We all know the reality of the time, no matter how anyone tries to paint it. And, in the weeks and months to come, our dear party will propose an action plan that we believe would work for our nation when adopted.
“In doing this, we again demonstrate that we care more about the progress of our people than we do about politics. It is just like here in Oyo State where we fix roads that have economic importance whether they belong to the state or federal,” Makinde said.
He appreciated Governor Mbah for honouring the state with his presence, saying that his administration would deliver more dividends of democracy in line with his Roadmap for Sustainable Development, 2023-2027.
In his speech ahead of commissioning the road, the Enugu State governor lauded Makinde for building a lasting legacy in the state, saying: “With the interconnectivity of this project, you can see that the construction and completion did not happen by accident.
There was a design and concept meant to provide the people of Oyo State with the ease of doing their business, movement and transportation.
“What is at the epicentre of this project today is the people of Oyo State, and that is what the administration of my brother has continually underscored.
“So, I want to salute you for your decisiveness and progressiveness, which underscore what our great party, the PDP, represents in governance. Our party knows that government is about the collective interest of the people but not narrow interest.”
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