Fayose Dissociates Himself From Plans To Slash Workers’ Salaries, Tells Governors To Cut Travels And Wastages Instead

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has dissociated himself from calls by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum that workers’ salaries be reduced or mass retrenchment done to lighten some burden of the states.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and governor of Zamfara state Abubakar Yari told newsmen that the current low prices of oil was making the payment of N18, 000 minimum wage impossible for state governments. He said it would either be reviewed downward or workers would face sack.

However, Fayose has a better solution. According to the governor, instead of reducing salaries and sacking workers, the state governors could reduce the affluence they enjoy in office and put an end to wastages.

“Today most newspapers carried the story about call by some state governors that the minimum wage of N18,000 be reduced or that there should be massive retrenchment of workers in the public service. They are on their own and I take exemption to that. The minimum wage is even not enough,” a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Friday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi quoted Fayose to have said during the Agenda for the Treasury Board meeting held as part of preparation of the state’s 2016 budget.

“Reduction of wages or retrenchment of workers won’t happen in Ekiti State. Instead of those anti-labour and anti-people policies, the governors should cut down on their travels and tours and cut down minimum wives and children and their affluence. Let the governors cut their coats according to their sizes,” Fayose said.

The Ekiti State governor is not the only one who disagree with other governors. his counterpart in Edo State shares similar sentiments.

Oshiomole had vowed to lead a protest against the governors if any of the two ‘threats’ is carried out.