Osun Civil Servants, Pensioners Get Subsidy Palliative, As Gov Adeleke Approves Payment

By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke put smiles on faces of civil servants and pensioners as he approved the payment of wage award to them as a measure to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal.

There have been much expectation in the state as to what the administration has as plan to mitigate effect of the subsidy withdrawal on petrol with the opposition alleging diverting of palliatives released by the federal government.

The governor, who celebrated his first year anniversary early in the week, boasting that his performance out weighted that of his predecessor, stated that the action was in a continuation of his avowed commitment to workers’ welfare and a fulfillment of his pledge for the gradual rollout of palliative measures to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

“On the first day of my second year in office, I unveil this wage award and reaffirm our five point agenda which has workers’ welfare as number one item.”

Governor Adeleke’s approval was conveyed in a circular issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Capacity Building, disclosing that workers in the service of the state will get a N15,000 wage award while pensioners will receive N10,000

The circular, which was signed by Sunday Olugbenga Fadele, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, noted that the wage award will run for six months, beginning from the month of December.

“Sequel to the negotiation meetings and interactions with labour movement in Osun state, including the representatives of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has approved the monthly payment of N15,000 to each active worker and N10,000 to each pensioners in Osun state as palliatives to assuage the pains being experienced as a result of removal of petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The payment, as approved, is to commence from the month of December, 2023 for a period of six months.

“While acknowledging and appreciating the understanding of Osun state workers and pensioners for their show of understanding regarding the efforts of the State Government in the last one year to improve tremendously on their welfare, being the first on the 5-point Action Plan, the present administration will continue to ensure its commitment to the welfare of workers are met at all times.

“It is expected that this gesture of government will spur workers in the State to be more diligent and committed to their duties.”