By VICTOR OGUNJE

The governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has ordered the immediate restoration of the suspended consequential adjustment for workers on grade levels seven and eight in the state civil service.

Fayemi also assured the workers that none of them will be sacked as a result of the shortfall in the allocation to Ekiti State from the federation account.

The consequential adjustment was suspended in July after a meeting of the government and organised labour, which was caused by the economic downturn and reduction in allocation to Ekiti from the federal coffers.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Akin Omole, the governor said the stakeholders’ meeting was an update on the ongoing economic measures adopted to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the state’s finances, the shortfall in Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and internally-generated revenue (IGR).

He said: “The Government of Ekiti State wishes to inform the general public about some far-reaching decisions that were taken at the August edition of the Economic Review Committee meeting.

“Sequel to the agreement with the leadership of the Organised Labour in June 2021, an Economic Review Committee (ERC) was designed to meet monthly (five days after Federation Accounts Allocation Committee release and keep labour abreast of the financial position of the state and actions to be taken.

“The analysis showed that due to other obligations such as payment of Counterpart Fund for water projects, payment of outstanding judgment debts, and other urgent commitments of government, which require over N400 million only, the net received from FAAC could not accommodate the state’s proposed expenditure for the month of August 2021.

“After exhaustive deliberations at the meeting, the state government reached agreement on restoration of the Consequential Adjustment of the Minimum Wage for officers on grade levels 7 and 8 which was hitherto put on hold due to shortfall in revenue from FAAC occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic to be implemented in August, while the arrears will be paid in September 2021.

“Restoration of Consequential Adjustment of the minimum wage of officers on grade levels 9 to 12 which was hitherto put on hold due to shortfall in revenue from FAAC occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic to be implemented in the month of September 2021;

“Payment of 100% subvention to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital has been restored.

“Subvention to Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU) and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) has increased from 50% to 60% and will be reviewed upwards in the month of September 2021; 25% reduction in the salary of all political office holders, including Permanent Secretaries and Executive Secretaries is still in place.”

Fayemi commended labour leaders for their sacrifice and understanding, and the good people of the state for their cooperation with government to navigate through this period of financial challenges.

“The welfare of workers in Ekiti State remains our priority, and the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi has no plan to downsize the workforce or retrench any worker as a result of financial challenges facing the state,” the governor said. (THISDAY)

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