Public servants in Ondo State have commended the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu(SAN), for matching his words with action in the payment of salary arrears owed by his predecessor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.
The workers said the part- payment of their seven month salary arrears by Akeredolu was a testimony that he is the governor of the masses.
Some of the workers, who spoke to reporters at the popular Erekesan Market in Akure yesterday said that the payment relieved them the agony they had suffered for months over the non-payment of their entitlements by the immediate past government in the state.
One of them, who identified herself as Mrs. Ajoke Fafunmi, said that the payment of the salary had fully returned the long-lost smile to her face.
Fafunmi explained that with the payment of the money, she had been able to pay her debts and meet other domestic needs.
Another civil servant in the state, Julius Olutoye, shared similar experience.
According to the Grade 7 worker, this year’s Easter celebration would have been boring but for Akeredolu’s determination to fulfill his promise of prioritizing workers’ welfare.
Olutoye said he began to have confidence in Akeredolu in March when the governor paid two months salaries to civil servants, adding that the governor’s latest move deserved commendation.
Besides, the civil servants who praised Akeredolu for paying part of the salary arrears, market women also commended the governor.
The market women said Akeredolu’s commitment to the fulfillment of his promise had boosted their economic activities.
A yam seller, Alhaja Abeni Agbajelola, and a trader in food stuff, Mrs. Funmilola Johnson, were full of praises for the governor.
According to them,life naturally returned to their respective businesses immediately the announcement for the payment of the salary was made.
It would be recalled that Akeredolu directed that one month of the arrears he inherited from the immediate past government should be paid to enable civil servants in the state to enjoy the Easter celebration.
