Oyo cushions workers anguish amid rising fuel prices, urges Tinubu to follow suit

Oyo cushions workers anguish amid rising fuel prices, urges Tinubu to follow suit

Bolaji DAVID

The Oyo State Government has disclosed that it spends over ₦142 billion annually on workers’ salaries. This is contained in a statement signed by Prince Dotun Oyelade, Oyo state Commissioner for Information

Prince Oyelade disclosed that this expenditure ranks Oyo as one of the three highest-paying states in the Federation.

He said that following Governor Seyi Makinde’s announcement earlier this month regarding a ₦10,000 transportation support package for all categories of workers, the state’s wage bill has further increased by nearly ₦2 billion monthly.

The Commissioner noted that the Governor introduced the ₦10,000 palliative in response to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has driven up global fuel prices.

He recalled that in January last year, the Oyo State Government increased the minimum wage of its over 130,000 workforce to ₦80,000, as part of efforts to mitigate the hardship caused by the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy.

Prince Oyelade highlighted Governor Makinde’s long-standing commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that the Governor has donated his monthly salary to pensioners since assuming office in May 2019.

The Commissioner also acknowledged the generosity of President Bola Tinubu, who over the weekend pledged to donate his salaries to the families of fallen and wounded military personnel.

In light of the rising cost of living, Prince Oyelade urged the President to implement further palliative measures to cushion the effects of fuel price hikes resulting from the international conflict in Iran.