THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has condemned alleged plans by the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration to begin deduction of workers’ salaries to fund the state’s security network popularly called Amotekun.
It said it was insensitive for the workers to be impoverished at a time other states reeled out achievements in the area of workers’ welfare.Spokesman for the Ondo PDP Kennedy Peretei in a statement in Akure, said the state’s civil servants were the most pauperised and traumatised in the Southwest.He said the planned deduction, which would affect all grades, showed government’s insensitivity to workers’ plight.Peretei added: “Unfortunately, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been compromised. Hence, no resistance is expected from these quarters. The workers are on their own.
“Is it the case that the government is unable to sustain the funding of the Amotekun security outfit, or it is another ploy to syphon the limited resources in the state?
“Ondo State economy is powered by civil servants. It is these same people that Akeredolu has treated with the highest level of disdain and callousness. We urge the governor to be more frugal in handling the state finances so as not to further impoverish the workers.”
But the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akeredolu, Olatunde Richard, accused the PDP of twisting facts and disseminating falsehood to mask its dark intentions to hoodwink the public.
He said there was no plan to deduct workers’ salaries for any purpose.
Richard said: “The allegation of planned salary deduction is imaginary. No circular was issued to that effect. It’s an embarrassing falsehood fabricated by a party, whose penchant for lies is legendary.
“Obviously, the workers through the organised labour have shown commitment and support for Amotekun. They in their wisdom have voluntarily supported the state’s security network, Amotekun, with the donation of 30 motorcycles. The government is grateful to receive this generous donation.”We challenge the PDP to publish or make public any circular on their imaginary deductions.”