Osun State govt denies alleged plan to cut workers’ salary

Osun State Government has denied any plan to cut workers salaries as part of belt tightening measures to wriggle out of its present economic hardship

The government also criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for being the architect of the various belt-tightening measures, which Nigeria must put in place at the moment to ensure continued survival of the country.

The Government said it was laughable for the State chapter of PDP to think that it made any expose out of its mischievous statement when it accused the Rauf Aregbesola administration of cutting salaries of workers and introducing other measures.

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the government said while there is no attempt at reducing the salaries of its workers or sacking workers, it is an open development that the government is embarking on a number of measures to keep the state’s head above the stormy economic waters which was foisted on Nigeria, Osun inclusive, by the PDP’s 16 years of misrule.

If the PDP thought it made any news out of the removal of the between 25% to 35% overtime allowance of staff of some government agencies, it must be living in a fools paradise. If not mischief, how does that translate to cutting of salaries and retrenchment of workers? This is because there is no measure being taken that is not an outcome of rigorous deliberations with workers and other critical stakeholders,” the statement noted.

The government asked Nigerians to ask the PDP the basis of its unfounded allegations and other tantrums, adding that in no way will the party be excused from the economic woes the country now faces for which the All Progressives Congress government at all levels is working hard to fix.

After the bailout fund was released to states, rather than concentrate on a positive engagement of the government on how the funds would be used for the good of the people of Osun, they were busy telling lies. Nigerians should not forget how the PDP accused Aregbesola of fixing bailout funds in a deposit account to make personal gains.

They should also not forget how they falsely accused the government of diverting the bailout funds to paying contractors. With these alone, the PDP has lost all moral rights to be listened to as a credible opposition. Opposition cannot be based on fabrications and outright falsehood,” the government said.

The statement said that whoever fails to admit that Nigeria is facing serious economic crisis must have been living in the moon, adding, “It is no longer news that the economy of not only Nigeria but the entire world is in crisis especially those who depend on crude oil.

After all, some 24 months ago, oil sold for about $114 a barrel but now the same sells for between $45 to $48. From that alone, is it not clear that a country like Nigeria which depends more than 80 % for its national income on sale of crude will be in difficulties managing it’s affairs?” it asked.