Osun, PDP differ over alleged plot to cut workers’ pay

OSUN State chapter of the People Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration of “plot to reduce salaries of workers in the state”.

The party, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Prince Diran Odeyemi in Osogbo, alleged a memo notifying civil servants of a new pay regime that would witness forfeiture of all allowances their colleagues in other states are enjoying, had already been circulated.
“We as a party have been consistent in our belief that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has lost focus as he is totally confused of what is next to move the state forward,” Odeyemi said.

But in a swift reaction, the state government said it was not surprise by the antics of the opposition party which would never appreciate effort to ensure survival and smooth running of the system in the face of dwindling resources across the country.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, said: “Interestingly, there is no single reform and belt-tightening measures that Governor Aregbesola and his government officials have not laid bare on the table before the workers and other stakeholders.
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The Osun labour is quite aware of all the reforms and efforts of the government to ensure that the welfare of the people does not grind to a halt because of the worsening economic situation across the world.”
He continued: “We are not surprised that the PDP is deliberately painting in bad light all the well-thought out survival strategies of the current administration in the face of the mounting global economic meltdown which is affecting all facets of national life.

We dare to say that in the face of the glaring realities of economic complications across the world, the impact of which has been felt by Nigerians, it would amount to irresponsibility for the government that cares for its people not to review its operations in line with the prevailing economic realities.

Without any doubt, the growing popular opinion now is that governments at all levels must look inward, review their operations and streamline their activities if they want to continue to maintain the welfare of their people,” Okanlawon added.