Ekiti workers read riot act to Fayose.

Workers in Ekiti state have challenged Governor Ayodele Fayose to take care in borrowing money which would likely put the state in more debt. Fayose was warned against borrowing to pay salaries and asked to focus more on issues which would lead to the development of the state. They also appealed to Fayose to put workers’ welfare at the top of his priorities.

The workers, represented by the Chairman, Trade Union Congress in the state, Mr. Kola Olaiya, and Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Mr. Ayo Aluko, said to Saturday Punch on Thursday that Fayose’s administration would enjoy the mass support of stakeholders if they focused their efforts on the development of the state. They urged the government not to borrow money but if at all it should be towards projects which would generate income for the state.

Olaiya, who spoke with Saturday Punch’s correspondent on the telephone, reportedly said, “One thing that can stand the governor out is for him to focus on the welfare of workers because when workers are paid as and when due, the problem of the informal sector will be solved as market women and the artisans will get money to trade.” The governor was also urged not to borrow money in order to pay salaries and please the workers. Olaiya showed his fear relating to the debt situation of the state and recommended that Fayose approached the Federal Government for assistance to pay workers salaries if it ever became an issue.

Olaiya then went on to speak on former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s tenure, he stated that whilst Fayemi started off well he derailed towards the end of his stay in office. Aluko then went on to say that Fayose’s administration shouldn’t borrow for recurrent expenditure but rather on capital projects.

The NLC chairman expressed hope that the new governor would shun issues that would pit him against the workers.

Aluko said the workers hoped that Fayose would meet their yearnings, especially in the area of their welfare.

The NLC chairman also asked Fayose to critically look into some issues such as arbitrary deduction from workers’ salaries.

CULLED FROM PUNCH NEWSPAPER