Tag: Mimiko

THE ongoing indefinite strike embarked upon by workers in Ondo State took another dimension yesterday as civil servants trooped to the streets to protest non-payment of their five months’ salaries.

They refused the entreaties of Governor Olusegun Mimiko that they should return to work.

Led by the leadership of Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), the aggrieved workers gathered as early as 8am at NEPA junction in Akure, singing anti-government songs.

During the protest that lasted for over four hours, the workers carried placards with different inscriptions such as: “Mimiko pay our salary,” “we can’t feed our families,” “workers are dying of hunger,” “Ise pupo, Iya repete” among others.

As the protest was going on, Mimiko with some members of his cabinet were seen packing heaps of refuse that had been dumped on the major streets in Akure.

The major streets like Oba-Adesida/Oyemekun, Arakale and Ondo roads were littered with refuse because workers at the state Waste Management Board were also on strike.

It took the efforts of a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Olaoluwa Adeyeye, who engaged some youths last Saturday to clear the waste from major streets.

Before the APC chieftain cleared the mess, there were already fear that the dirty environment might lead to outbreak of epidemic diseases, if the waste remained on the streets.

Mimiko was seen using spade to pack the waste inside a truck at Oja-Oba area.

It was gathered that the governor was worried over the ongoing strike and he had pleaded with the union leaders to exclude health workers, teachers and waste management board workers from the industrial action.

But his demand was said to have yielded no positive response as the union leaders insisted that they would not return to work until they are paid.

Mimiko took the opportunity to address traders at Oja Oba market and lamented the dwindling Federal Government allocations being received by the state.

But unknown to the workers that the governor had gone on an environmental exercise, they marched from NEPA junction to the Government House at Alagbaka with the intention of preventing the governor from going to his office.

The protesting workers were, however, shocked to see Mimiko coming from the direction of Oja-Oba area with some members of his cabinet.

Despite the workers’ mood, the governor came out of his vehicle and pleaded with them for two hours.

But the state JNC chairman vowed that since there was no indication that the state government was ready to pay the outstanding salary, the industrial action would continue indefinitely.

As at the time of filing this report, the state Council of Obas, led by the Osemawe of Ondo kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo, is meeting with the organised labour leaders on the matter.

The Dean, Archbishop Vinning College of Technology, Akure, the Ondo State capital, Ven. Ayodeji Fagbemi, has urged the state government to pay the striking public servants to facilitate smooth governance.

He said the labourers deserve their wages as supported by the scripture.

The cleric spoke with The Nation yesterday after the thanksgiving and award ceremony in honour of six distinguished senior Anglican clerics who have contributed to the growth of the theological institution affiliated with the University of Ibadan (UI).

Admitting that there is economic recession in the country, he noted that without workers getting their salaries, there would be no stability in the running of the state’s affairs.

Fagbemi said: “There is no sermon one can preach to these hungry workers to live without food. There is no way they can survive with their families without having their salaries. The state government should be considerate and find the means of resolving the salary impasse quickly.”

ONDO State has urged its workers to join in the agitation for restructuring of the country’s system of governance to pave the way for autonomy of the federating units.

It said this would enable states to carry out their responsibilities without recourse to the Federal Government.

Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade, who said this in Akure yesterday, said labour unions and workers have roles to play in the actualisation of the clamour for a workable system.

Akinmade said if the states were allowed to control their resources, they would be able to pay workers their wages as at when due.

He added that the trend of going on strike to press for wages would become a thing of the past.

The government’s spokesperson said if the country was operating a workable system, a state like Ondo with its government’s ingenuity and capability to create wealth would not be struggling to pay wages.

Akinmade urged the workers to return to work as government was doing everything possible to pay their salary arrears.

He said the government would not hide anything from the workers regarding its finances.

“We will continue to communicate and appeal to our people to show more understanding because we are share in their pain,” he added.

Insisting that workers retrenchment was not an option in the face of economic crunch , Akinmade said Governor  Olusegun Mimiko has vowed not to sack any worker.

He stressing that government is focusing on the exploitation of its bitumen, which it secured licence to explore, assuring that this would add value to the state’s revenue base.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has commiserated with the senator representing Ondo Central, Donald  Tayo Alasoadura over the death of his wife, Mrs Adetayo Alasoadura.

  In a condolence message issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, the governor described the death of Mrs Alasoadura as sad and unfortunate.

  Mimiko said the late Mrs Alasoadura would be missed by all especially when she had to bid the world goodbye at an unripe age.

 According to the governor, death is a sure end for every mortal,  adding that “since it is  God alone who determines when one leaves this world, it has only  pleased Him to call her  home at this time”.