Cleaners employed by the Ondo state government through some cleaning service firms have threatened to stage a protest over the failure of the state government to pay their salary in the last five months.
The employees are saddled with the responsibilities of cleaning state government offices, buildings and hospitals.
Speaking with Roving Reporters on Saturday, the cleaners alleged that those in charge of the payment had refused to disburse the fund after they learnt governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had approved it.
They pointed out that despite being paid as low as 25k on monthly basis, the state government officials had refused to pay their salary, a situation that had turned them to street beggars
They however threatened to take to the streets of Akure to protest what they described as maltreatment by the state government.
One of them said, “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 the cleaners 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.”
