Rauf Aregbesola (right), his deputy Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (middle), and deputy Speaker State of Osun, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye (left), during the Inter-Religious Service for the new Year 2017
Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun says the State Government has spent N14.2 billion to offset four months salary arrears of workers.
The money was paid in one fell swoop in Dec. 2016.
Aregbesola made the remarks at an interdenominational thanksgiving service in Osogbo on Tuesday.
As stated by him, the ability of the state government to pay workers salaries for September, October, November and December, 2016 in a record of less than two weeks period is a huge relief.
Aregbesola, exchanging pleasantries with Secretary Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria (OSCAN), Pastor Dr. Paul Funso Usman, and Chiarman Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria (OSCAN), Very Rev. Michael Odianosen Okodu.
Aregbesola with Chief Imam of Osogboland, Sheikh Musa Animasahun, Mufasir Osogbo, Sheikh Ma’ruf Isola, Mufasir Ikire, Sheikh Rasheed Maje and others,
He stated that the disbursement of the Paris Club deductions refunds which made N11.7 billion available for the state had brought some relief to the state.
The governor, however, stated that the state needed to intensify its efforts towards self sustenance.
“We are grateful that our hardships are getting over giving us indications that the New Year would be better, ”the governor stated.
The governor while expressing appreciation to workers, who showed understanding, appealed to them to continue to show understanding with the government.
Aregbesola stated the state would invest massively in agriculture in the New Year, saying that the government would give financial assistance to those who were interested in farming.
In a speech, the Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye, commended the Osun workforce for their courage and commitment to duty.
Owoeye stated that revenue generation should be a major focus of the workers in the new year.