The Osun State government has commenced the payment of salary arrears to civil servants and pensioners, after the eight-month delay that sparked concern across the nation.
The Media aide to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Semiu Okanlawon confirmed this to reporters in the state capital, Osogbo.
According to him, the government paid the balance of November salary to workers on Grade Level 15 and above as well as full salary for December to all workers.
The government also announced a 50 per cent cut in salaries and allowances of political office holders.
“Since the inception of this government, we have treated the resources under our control with utmost respect and disbursed them diligently for the benefit of our people.
“Our mandate had always been to use our God-given wealth to bridge the gap between the downtrodden and the government.
“It is very unfortunate that we find ourselves unable to pay our workers for several months when, in the past, we stood for paying on or before 25th of each month. We thank the ever gracious and understanding workers of our state for their patience as we go through this most trying time.
“However, we are glad to announce that we have commenced the process of paying for the balance of November and full December salary arrears for all workers across the state and the process should be concluded by Friday.
“We are able to do this because our partners and creditors have faith in us and we have proven to be responsible and trustworthy.
The workers, on Tuesday, June 30, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the payment, which many of them described as a disappointment.
They vowed to continue their industrial action, which has entered the fourth week.
