Ondo Owes Settlers Of Ago Ireti Leprosium Nine Months Stipends, Govt Says They Will Soon Be Paid

By Ayodele Oni

Members of Ago-Ireti, a settlement of people affected with leprosy in Ondo State are feeling the present economic crunch following refusal of the state government to pay their meagre N10,000 for nine months.

They have decried the state government passiveness to their plight despite series of representations.

Speaking through the Secretary of the community, Mr. Salau Adeyemi, the members said that despite the meagre payment of N10,000 per month, set during Dr. Olusegun Mimiko’s administration, the government had 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 described the situation as unbearable, adding that foodstuff sellers were now unwilling to give credit to them.

“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.”

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 nine months unpaid stipend.

The Commissioner for health, Dr Awolowo Banji Ajaka confirmed the non-payment by the state government assuring that efforts were ongoing to pay the outstanding stipend for the members of Ago-ireti settlement.

“That’s correct, we’ll process all the arrears, everything. You know, at a point everything was not okay and we have to process all of these things. But it’s been processed and just awaiting Mr. Governor’s approval.

“Everything will be paid. We explained to them, the Deputy Governor explained to them and gave them some stipend that time because we have partners too supporting them, there are a lot of support for them. But that’s not the excuse.

“The thing has been processed and in a few days when Mr. Governor returns, he will sign all the arrears put together, we’ll process it.”

Asked if there is plan for upward review based on economic reality, the commissioner responded in negative.

“No, no, no, no, no, no. You see, many people are even supposed to have gone to their different homes. You know, we’ve not been having any new disability and we’re not even having new cases because, you know, we are doing preventive and curative.”