The Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko has admitted that the state is broke and is unable to pay staff salaries.
He made this announcement on Thursday while addressing protesting workers, explaining that the State treasury is empty and that the government is struggling to survive.
“So, we can no longer pay salaries, even when they are due,” said the governor.
The workers had shut down the entrance to the governor’s office in protest, barring him from entering unto the premises.
According to Sahara reporters, the governor stressed to the protesting workers that the government was broke and even threatened them with the sack if they kept up their protests, “If you continue in this manner, I will sack you from the services of this State government, you can bet me! Because I am still your employer,” he said.
The governor went on to explain that the State monthly wage bill including pensions is N3.9 billion, adding that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) still stands at about one third of the wage bill.
“Our monthly wage bill is still N3. 9 billion, and all the funds we are collecting from Abuja [federal allocation], oil derivation funds, Value Added Tax, Internally Generated Revenue put together is N1. 3 billion,”.
The governor pleaded with the workers to call off their strike for the sake of those suffering as the strike is affecting the health sector of the state.
“I am begging you because the continuation of this strike will not bring us any money,” he said.
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