PDP urges AbdulRazaq to extend tax holiday, pay workers’ outstanding bonuses

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has tasked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to extend the recently announced three-month tax holiday for civil servants in the state to one year.

The party also wanted the governor to release the outstanding bonuses approved for local government workers, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Teachers, and parastatal workers.

It said: “If done, these moves would provide relief to civil servants struggling to make ends meet amidst the rising cost of living in the state.”

PDP’s state Publicity Secretary, Mr Olusegun Adewara, in a statement, noted disappointment that the bonuses, recently announced with much fanfare by the government, have yet to be paid to many civil servants, especially Local Government and SUBEB workers, as well as staffers in various government parastatals.

The PDP alleged that: “a government that received a substantial N7.8 billion allocation in September should have no difficulty paying the national minimum wage let alone default on the payment of meager bonuses promised to civil servants.”

Subsequently, it challenged AbdulRazaq, as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), to emulate progressive measures in neighbouring Kogi State, where a one-year tax holiday and a minimum wage of N72,500 were approved.

It added that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also granted an indefinite tax holiday alongside the N80,000 minimum wage.

“These actions demonstrate a commitment to workers’ welfare, unlike Kwara State, where policies and unfulfilled promises have left workers disillusioned,” Adewara said.

The PDP urged Governor Abdulrazaq to lead by example and implement policies that other governors would emulate, rather than making Kwara workers feel neglected under his administration.

The PDP also called on the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to revisit its recent hike in union dues and revert to the old order.

“For example, the increase in NUT dues levied on Grade Level 12 officers from N987 to N3,300 is unreasonable and exploitative particularly when teachers are already burdened by economic hardship,” the PDP spokesman said.

The party also highlighted the growing poverty rate in the state, urging Abdulrazaq to prioritize meaningful interventions for the people, especially, the workers said to be disappointed by alleged failed promises of improved wages during the “Otoge” struggles.

“The PDP in Kwara will continue to push for policies and actions that uplift the people of Kwara State and ensure that the government is accountable to the people,” he said.