Ondo to offset outstanding salaries

The Ondo State government has pledged its commitment to the welfare of the people.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who made the pledge, said his administration would pay outstanding salaries and pensions before the end of this week.

The governor spoke in Akure, the state capital, during the distribution of compensation for those whose property were affected by the road projects across the state.

He said his administration would continue to make life meaningful for the citizenry.

Akeredolu promised that before this weekend, all outstanding salaries and pensions of three months and 20 per cent deduction would be paid to workers and pensioners.

The governor said N9 billion had been committed to various road projects in the 18 local government areas of the state, with a view to making accessibility to all nooks and crannies of the towns and villages much easier.

Akeredolu said his administration would ensure that all projects are people-oriented while no project would be abandoned.

He said: “I assure you of the commitment of my administration at ensuring that we have people-oriented projects across the state, while the era of abandoning projects is over. The little resources available must be judiciously utilised.”

The governor added that transparency and accountability would continue to be the guiding principles of his administration, adding that all funds, especially the Paris Club refunds, would be accounted for at the public glare.

About N403 million was paid as compensation to people affected by road projects.

Akeredolu added: “A human-face approach was put into consideration in this regard: people without vital documents, such as Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), were considered as beneficiaries in the compensation.”