The federal government has been called upon to urgently wade into the increasing salary crisis affecting some states of the federation.
The call was contained in a statement by the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi in Osogbo yesterday where he lamented the effect of the situation on the nation’s economy.
He said, “We are approaching an emergency on this crisis, because not only is the crisis spreading like wild fire across states, it is assuming a dimension that would seriously affect the economy of the country”.
The APC, while praising the federal government’s previous bailout intervention, said the intervention was not only inadequate, it has only marginally addressed the crisis.
“To avoid an emergency that could create difficulties for the economy in the next decade, the federal government must address the problem now, even if it means having recourse to our reserves”.
The APC decried cases where many states were owing their workers’ salaries between five and 10 months.
“What was cynically thought to be an Osun problem is now suddenly a national emergency which the federal government can not afford to ignore. We cannot play the ostrich in a situation as critical as this.
“Those politicians who only few months ago were mocking the state of Osun and cynically offering their salaries to pay workers in Osun have suddenly become quiet now that their own states are owing between six and 10 months’ salaries, especially in Bayelsa.”
The APC further pointed out that the salary crisis stands as a major factor in the economic challenges the country is currently facing.
“Except it is handled nationally by the federal government, it is unlikely that the crisis will go away soon. We are, therefore, appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari and the federal government to help the affected states.”
Comments