Cleaners in the employment of the Ondo state government through some contracted cleaning service firms have threatened to stage a protest over the failure of the state government to offset their stipends in the last five months, appealing for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s intervention.
The employees are responsible for cleaning state government offices, buildings and hospitals.
Addressing newsmen on Saturday, the cleaners alleged that those in charge of the payment had refused to disburse the fund after governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had approved it.
They pointed out that despite being paid as low as 25k on monthly basis, the government officials had refused to pay their salaries, a situation that has turned them to street beggars
They however threatened that they would take to the streets in Akure to protest what they described as maltreatment by the state government.
“We can no longer take the way we are being treated. We are last paid in December despite the ridiculous amount of money they are paying us.
“We have done our investigation and found out that our governor has given approval for the payment but the file is hanging somewhere. This is bad. They have turned us into beggars.”
When contacted, the Director of Finance and Account, General Administration Department, GAD, Prince Olabode Aderemi said efforts were on to get paid as soon as possible.
Aderemi said, “Well, I am not in the best position to speak on that. But I am aware of the situation and the SSG who is our political head is on top of the situation.
“We are taking the matter up with Mr. Governor. Even the Special Advisor on Union matters, we get into the matter, and I know very soon, by the grace of God, by next week, everything will be resolved.
“I won’t say more than that, but the SSG is on the top of the situation. So, we are aware, but the problem is not from us.
“But we don’t want to shift the blame on anybody, it’s the system, but then, by next week, everything will be alright.”
