OGUN GOVT. ALLAYS FEAR OF TASCE WORKERS

The Ogun State Government has allayed the fears of workers of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) over the non-payment of their minimum wage and arrears of salaries inherited from the immediate past administration.

The State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa gave this assurance today in Abeokuta when he hosted the Management of TASCE in his office.

Governor Amosun expressed surprise over the non-payment of the minimum wage to the workers, pointing out that Ogun State is the first among its peers in the South-West to effect the minimum wage.

He however assured them that urgent steps would be taken over the issue, while the backlog of of salaries inherited from the past administration would be paid gradually before the end of the year.

“The Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun is mindful of the yearnings of the people and tries his best to put smiles on the faces of the people knowing fully well that you put us there….  The minimum wage is a law, which we must adhere to, but the present administration will not borrow money to play salaries and arrears.  Rather, we will harness our resources together by increasing the Internal Generated Revenue to meet the necessity of salaries” he maintained.

Addressing them on the issue of the non-constitution of a Governing Council for the College, Senator Amosun revealed that government had already put together one, assuring that names of its members would be announced soon. 

Earlier the Provost of the College, Dr Biodun Ojo had highlighted issues that were agitating the minds of the staffers and appreciated the Governor for granting them audience, promising to convey the Governor’s message to the generality of his staff.

WORKS MINISTRY CONSTRUCTS TOWNSHIP ROADS, EMBARKS ON REHABILITATION OF OTHERS.

 Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite 

Works on Akeem Oladipupo and Oloruntele streets, Olomore in Abeokuta have been completed to ensure pleasurable motoring and enhance socio- economic activities in the areas.

         

The Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite who disclosed this in his office in Abeokuta said these roads were asphalted and provided with drainages to allow free flow of water and avoid flood especially during this rainy period.

         

Adegbite disclosed that, the ministry had also embarked on the rehabilitation of some roads in different parts of the State to make them motor able during this rainy season, after which major construction works on them will resume, pointing out that the gesture is in line with the State Government’s policy on zero tolerance to pot holes.

         

The roads according to him include Panseke-Sapon, Iberekodo–Alowonle, Isabo and Saje Junction in Abeokuta, Osinubi Street, Erunwon and Abeokuta road in Ijebu-Ode, Oke-Agbo Street in Ijebu-Igbo as well as Ajegunle and Isale-Oko Streets in Sagamu.        

He added that the feat was accomplished by Engineers from the Ministry and urged motorists and other road users to imbibe a maintenance culture so that government’s effort would not be futile.

         

ZEOs SUSPENDED OVER ALLEGED LEAKAGES OF EXAM QUESTION PAPERS

Barrister Segun Odubela

The Ogun State Government has said that its zero tolerance to examination malpractices remained unwavering and will do everything humanly possible to fight the menace to a standstill.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Segun Odubela stated this in Abeokuta while reacting to an allegation that the on-going third term unified examination question papers for public secondary school student have leaked.

Odubela pointed out that already, the Ministry had commenced full scale investigation into the matter and had set up an administrative panel of enquiry to look into it.

“The investigation carried out so far by the Ministry had revealed that some officials of the Zonal Education Offices (ZEO) in one of the Local Government Areas in the State were found culpable and have been suspended, arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation” He said.

He charged all officers in charge of examination in public secondary schools in the State to ensure adequate security of examination question papers and strict compliance with the laid down guidelines for the conduct of the examination, warning that Government will not hesitate to wield the big stick against anyone found culpable.

Meanwhile, the screening test into public secondary schools with hostel facilities in the State has been shifted to hold next Thursday July 19^th in all designated school centres.

Commissioner Odubela said the change became imperative following some challenges, adding that interested parents and Guardians can still approach such schools and Zonal Education Offices as the forms are available for purchase.

FINANCIAL EXPERT UNDERSCORES NEED FOR PRUDENCE IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT

Mrs. Oluwande Muoyo

Ministries of Budget and Planning, Finance and Offices of Accountants-General across the country have been challenged to ensure that the execution of programmes and policies of government are done strictly in line with the provision of the budget in order to have a sound Public Expenditure Management.

         

A financial expert and the Managing Director of Gogosa Limited, Mr. Bode Agusto threw this challenge in Abeokuta while delivering a paper titled “Understanding the Federal Budget and its Impact on State Government’s Finances” at a one–day seminar organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning on Public Expenditure Management for its staffers.

         

Mr. Agusto described the Federation Account as a special account into which all revenues collected by the government of the federation are paid except proceeds of the personal income tax of the personnel of the armed forces, police foreign affairs among others.

         

He noted that beneficiaries of the account include the Federal, State and Local Governments, pointing out that the bulk of revenues realized by States with which they execute their programmes and policies were drawn from the account.

Agusto charged State Governments to be aware of their legal entitlements and rights with regards to the federation account to ensure that they are not shortchanged, describing fiscal policies such as the NLNG dividends, excess crude account, the Sovereign Wealth Fund among others as examples of such shortchange which could reduce revenue accruable to them.

As a result of this, he said there was the need for the agencies to spend in line with expenditure approval given by the legislature on developmental priorities that can be realistically implemented and evaluate the impact of such policies and programmes on the people.

Declaring the seminar open earlier, the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mrs. Oluwande Muoyo described Public Expenditure Management as a process and method used by a government entity to allocate and use its financial resources to provide public goods and services in a responsible, efficient and effective manner.

She re-affirmed that her Ministry was poised to ensure prudence, consistence in policy, sustainability and delivery of value for money to the people.

According to her, the task of spending government fund to execute the 5-cardinal programme of the present administration was being done in a transparent and accountable manner, calling on the people to give full support to the policies.