Oshiomhole tasks LG councils on workers’ salaries

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has called local government councils to fulfil their financial obligations to their employees as specified in the constitution by paying their salaries promptly.

He added that the state government would assist the councils in “re-engineering their finances.”

Oshiomhole, who stated this on Friday at the 17th synod of the Anglican Communion held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Benin, said that the inability of about two-thirds of the states to pay civil servants, was an indication that the country is facing its most difficult period in history.


The governor, who attended the event in company of his wife, Iara, and several top government officials, noted that despite its lean allocation, the state had not been indebted to its civil servants.

He said, “In this state, we are not perfect; we have asked God to govern the state for us and I believe he is governing it for us. I am proud to say that in the South-South geo-political zone, we receive the lowest allocation, but we are the only one who is up-to-date in the payment of salaries to workers who work for Edo State Government.

“There are things going on across the states. There are some of our local governments who are not able to pay workers. We are working hard to get them to recognise that the Bible says ‘the labourer is entitled to his wages,’ whether or not the employer is rich.

“We are working hard to assist them, to re-engineer their finances because we have no money to give them; we have to tell them to meet their own obligations as specified in the constitution.”

While appreciating the church, Oshiomhole said that the progress of ongoing projects in the state had also shown that Edo State was under divine guidance.

He said, “People ask me how we are able to make this possible and I say to God be the glory because we know what to do and what to stop doing in this moment of financial crisis and to know what we can’t afford to stop and to stop what we need to stop. It requires God’s guidance and courage and by the Grace of God we will continue.

“I personally appreciate the role of the church in our lives. We cannot thank our people enough for all they have had to tolerate. I ask you to pray for our President that God will govern Nigeria for him.”

Earlier, the Bishop of the Benin Anglican Diocese, Bishop Peter Imasuen, commended the governor for opening up rural communities through the construction of access roads, noting that the church would continue to show support for the state government through prayers and constructive criticism.

He said, “Before now, it was difficult for us to go through Siluko road, but today, you can go through it without fear of erosion. With the limited resources, you have been able to put smiles on the faces of the people and we are grateful.”