Osun State government has reacted to the allegations by the Nigerian Union of Pensioners that Governor Ademola Adeleke has refused to fulfill promises made to them during the electioneering campaign.
The union at a press conference on Wednesday said all efforts to meet with the Governor has proved abortive.
Reacting to the allegations via a statement by Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the government Adeleke is has been meeting with all stakeholders since he assumed office.
Rasheed also denied the alleged plan to retrench workers or re-introduce half salaries.
“We affirm that there is neither a plan to sack workers nor any re-introduction of half salary. This was old fake news sponsored by agents of the opposition which the public is implored to ignore.
“The government also wishes to state that Governor Ademola Adeleke is available to meet all stakeholders for the development of the state. As a responsive leader, the Governor has met many groups and associations since assuming office. Many of such groups are also lined up for appointments with the state chief executive officer including the protesting Pensioners.
“It is however important to note that the Government of Governor Ademola Adeleke has remained committed to meeting its financial obligations to workers, both in and out of service. The government can however not pay off all outstanding salaries and pensions all at once due to paucity of funds which is known to all stakeholders.
“The administration has adopted a phased payment system but with an increase in the amount paid monthly to the pensioners among others. In recognition of the state of the economy, the monthly payment has been increased from two hundred thousand naira under the former government to five hundred thousand naira. This is a decision under implementation despite the tight financial status of the state.
“The government wishes to note that Governor Adeleke remains the only Governor in the history of Osun state to have made workers’ welfare his number one governance agenda, a fact acknowledged by the protesting Pensioners. The government remains committed to that agenda within the context of fund availability.”