TheCable

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, says his administration has extended the payment of wage awards for civil servants in the state for another six months.

The governor said within the period of extension, the government will finalise the minimum wage negotiation for workers in the state.

Speaking during the inauguration of a mosque in Iseyin on Thursday, Makinde said his administration is doing its best to alleviate the growing hardship on residents.

He said the state was the first to announce and implement measures to reduce the hardship through the sustainable action for economic recovery (SafER) programme.

“We have been paying a wage award; N25,000 for workers and N15,000 for pensioners, and we have paid for close to six months,” he said.

“Only last week, I announced an extension of the wage award for another six months so that we can have the time to conclude the discussion on minimum wage.

“Though there is much to be done, we will continue to do everything within our power to support our people during this hard time.”

On Monday, some residents of Ibadan, the capital of the state, protested the rising economic hardship in the country.

The protesters carried placards that read: “End food hike and inflation”, “insecurity not our birthright”, “Mr President, this is not the hope, this is shege”.