Makinde issues 24hrs directive to offset OYWMA workers's five months salaries

EHIME ALEX, Lagos

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday directed that the five months outstanding salaries of contract workers of the Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYWMA), owed by the sacked contractor, West AfricaENRG, be paid within the next 24 hours.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Governor who addressed the contract workers at his office said the directive is with immediate effect.

Governor Makinde explained that the delay in the payment was because the sacked contractor, West AfricaENRG, failed to pay them as and when due.

He also stated that the delay in the payment was due to lack of straight forwardness and clarity in the records inherited by the administration, stating however that the case file had already been approved and that the State’s Accountant General (AG) has been ordered to commence payment with immediate effect.

He said: “I know that the Commissioner for Environment has addressed you earlier this morning but when I saw you on my way to the office, I asked about the development, because I thought your money had been paid. But I was told the file was on my table and I have approved it immediately.

“Because the records we met were not straightforward, you will come here and collect your money yourselves. Some officials have gone to meet with the Accountant-General now, if it is possible they will commence payment this afternoon (Tuesday afternoon) and if it is tomorrow morning, they will effect the payment.”

Governor Makinde instructed that the payment be made directly to the workers entitled to the money.

He said: “The last time I addressed you was about a month ago and I told you that the money owed you by your previous employer, West AfricaENRG will be paid by the state government, because the state government was supposed to pay the contractor but I told them not to effect the payment until your own salaries are paid.

“When we are done paying your salaries, whatever is left will be given to the contractor, if it is what they have actually worked for.”