Obaseki slams BudgIT over report, says his govt not owing salaries,

Edo Atate governor,Goodwin Obaseki has slammed an indigenous data collection and analysis company, BudgIT for allegedly reporting falsely that the state government owed its workers.

Obaseki said payment of salaries is up to date and consistent, adding that even local government council workers are not owed any salaries.

This is contained in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Mr Crusoe Osagie, on Friday.

BudgIT’s report was described as unfortunate as not only are state workers paid as and when due but also enjoy a minimum wage of N40,000, the highest in Nigeria.

The statement partly read; “We hereby debunk the misleading media report by a civic-tech organization, BudgIT, that the Edo State Government is owing workers six months’ salaries. The report is not only false and mischievous; it is disingenuous in its intentions,” he said.

“BudgIT obviously got its data wrong. It is regrettable that an organization that should uphold the principles of data integrity and accuracy is involved in spreading incorrect information.

“The Edo State Government does not owe state workers salaries. On the contrary, Edo is the first state to increase the minimum wage to N40,000 above the nationally approved N30,000. It has also been consistent in paying the new wage to workers.

“In fact, the government has over time made it a duty to announce the payment of salaries as soon as workers get their credits on or before the 26th day of every month.

“The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration prioritises the welfare of its workers and has maintained a cordial relationship with workers across the board, leading to a harmonious work environment in the state.”