Mimiko Regrets Not Paying Workers’ Salary
By Oladipupo Mojeed
Former Ondo state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko says one of the insurmountable challenges faced by his administration was its inability to pay salaries as at when due.
Mimiko’s administration at the last count, owed workers seven months salaries.
He said: “We have recorded successes and also have our own measure of insurmountable challenges among which is the inability to pay salaries as at when due.”
Mimiko calls for Akeredolu’s support
In his farewell broadcast message to the people of the state, he pleaded with them to extend their full support to “our incoming governor”, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
According to him, despite the challenges faced by his administration, he said the decisions made were made for the betterment of the people of the state.
“We have made friends and admirers, we have also attracted detractors.
“We have not targeted anybody or institution for witch-hunt but have been true to our determination of ensuring that the interest of the greatest number of people is the determinant of all the decisions and choices we made.
He acknowledged the support of the people for helping him to enjoy the unique privilege of serving as the number one indigene of the state for eight years by standing standing by him through thick and thin.
“By God’s own special grace, I will continue to repay the honour you did me by standing up in your support at all times. I pledge to remain a part of our communities even outside of government.
Mimiko who acknowledged the role of the traditional rulers, sued for peace in which the state had witnessed during his tenure.
“To the glory of God, we made Ondo State the most peaceful State not just in the Niger Delta and the South-West, but arguably across the entire nation.
“Our traditional institutions have been accorded their rightful place in the scheme of things as key players in the administration of our communities. I cannot thank the royal fathers enough for the way they partnered with us these past eight years in the determination to make our State the safest in the nation.
Success recorded by Mimiko’s administration
Dr Mimiko recalled some of the programs that have in the past eight years has set the State apart.
They include: Intervention in infrastructure like mega schools,the Abiye Safe Motherhood program, urban renewal, agriculture, independent power project, the Agbebiye program and investment in the Oil and Gas exploitation.
Others according to him include the kick-starting of the Ondo State Government’s exclusively-owned Free Trade Zone; seeking a credible investor in developing a Deep Sea Port; securing of license for the exploitation of the state’s bitumen deposit and signing Memorandum of Understanding with notable bitumen exploration companies.
Dr Mimiko said the state government recently secured a $57million facility from the French Development Agency for reticulation, transmission and distribution of potable water from Owena Dam.
