Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa; State Chairman, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Ogun State, Comrade Olubunmi Fajobi; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga and Comrade Abiodun Olakanmi of the Joint Negotiation Council, JNC at a meeting between the labour leaders and state government officials on Friday.The Ogun State government said on Friday that effective from the end of April 2016, salaries of public and civil servants in the state will be paid based on the Bank Verification Number, BVN, system to prevent money going to ghost workers in the state.
It was one of the resolutions reached in a follow-up meeting between the leadership of the organised labour movement in Ogun State and officials of the state government led by the Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga on Friday, the government said in a statement.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, said, “Ogun State is unique as we have continued to engage and dialogue with the organised labour.
“As part of our continuous discussions, we have both agreed that we should take advantage of the BVN system to ensure that our scarce resources are not going to ghost workers.
He added that, “In view of this, we have agreed that starting from the end of April 2016, salaries will be paid using the BVN of all workers.”
While responding on behalf of the organised labour movement, Comrades Olubunmi Fajobi, State Chairman, Trade Union Congress, TUC and Abiodun Olakanmi, of the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC said they were satisfied with the state government’s position on the need to use BVN for salary payment.
They however requested that the decision be officially communicated to the civil service through the office of the State Head of Service.
On her part, Chief Mrs. Onanuga expressed delight with the fact that in living up to its billing as a uniquely peaceful state, the leadership of the organised labour movement in Ogun State and state government officials have continued to dialogue with a view to finding a lasting and more sustainable resolution of the demands of the workers.
The deputy governor further explained that Friday’s meeting was one of a series of engagement between the labour movement and the state government.
“As stakeholders, we are committed to jointly finding a lasting and sustainable solution to the issues raised by the labour movement,” Chief Mrs. Onanuga said.